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ANATOLE FRANCE — LES NOCES CORINTHIENNESNo. 18 of the First 30 Copies on Japon ImpérialNine Etchings, Each Present in Four StatesSigned F. Michon Full Morocco BindingIridescent Doublures and EndleavesOriginal Wrappers and Spine Bound In
FRANCE, Anatole. Les Noces Corinthiennes: Poème dramatique en trois parties. Illustrated by Serge de Solomko, with etchings by Eugène Decisy. Paris: Librairie des Amateurs, A. Ferroud – F. Ferroud, Successeur, 1926. Octavo.
An exceptional deluxe copy of Anatole France’s Les Noces Corinthiennes, No. 18 of the first 30 copies printed on Japon impérial, distinguished by an extensive suite of the illustrations and a striking signed binding by F. Michon.
This copy contains the nine principal etchings in four separate states each — 36 impressions in all — together with the numerous color illustrations and decorative compositions by Serge de Solomko throughout the text.
It is bound in full dark green morocco by F. Michon, with gilt and red-morocco decoration and remarkable iridescent doublures and matching endleaves, whose colors shift through green, violet, blue, bronze, and gold according to the light.
The original printed wrappers and spine are preserved and bound in.
The original watercolor by Solomko called for in the limitation of these first 30 copies is not present.
THE DELUXE ISSUE
The regular Japon impérial copies of this edition were issued with fewer states of the etchings; other recorded Japon examples are described with two or three states.
This copy is No. 18 of the first 30 deluxe copies, and contains:
Nine full-page etchings by Eugène Decisy after Serge de Solomko, each in four states
for a total of:
36 separate plate impressions
The four-state suites offer a particularly attractive view of the progression of each image through its different printed treatments.
The volume also contains Solomko’s numerous color illustrations, ornamental headpieces, tailpieces, and decorative compositions integrated throughout the text.
The first 30 copies represent the most elaborate portion of the edition; the absence of the original watercolor should be noted, but the complete four-state suite remains a major distinguishing feature.
SERGE DE SOLOMKO & EUGÈNE DECISY
Serge de Solomko was known for richly decorative historical and literary illustration, and his work here is especially well suited to Anatole France’s dramatic treatment of the ancient world.
The compositions were translated into etching by Eugène Decisy, one of the accomplished French reproductive engravers associated with deluxe illustrated books of the period.
The resulting combination of delicate line work, color, classical costume, and theatrical composition gives the book much of its visual appeal.
THE F. MICHON BINDING
The volume is bound in full dark green morocco leather, signed F. MICHON at the foot of the spine.
The binding features:
- raised bands
- gilt spine lettering and ornaments
- gilt fillet borders to the boards
- small red morocco onlaid accents
- decorative gilt corner and panel tools
- gilt turn-ins
- all edges gilt
- original wrappers and printed spine preserved
The exterior is restrained and classically French in character, but the real surprise is inside.
The doublures and endleaves are covered in a highly unusual iridescent material, producing shifting areas of emerald green, violet, blue, bronze, pink, and gold depending upon the angle of the light.
These iridescent surfaces create a particularly dramatic contrast with the deep green morocco and restrained gilt tooling, and give the binding considerable visual individuality.
CONDITION
Very good overall.
The full green morocco binding remains sound and attractive, with light rubbing and localized wear to the spine, raised bands, joints, corners, and extremities. Gilt lettering and decoration remain strong and bright.
The iridescent doublures and endleaves retain their vivid and highly reflective coloring.
The Japon impérial leaves are generally clean and bright, with broad margins and strong impressions of the plates.
All nine principal etchings are present in four states, for 36 impressions total.
The original printed front and rear wrappers and printed spine are preserved and bound in.
The original Solomko watercolor specified for this deluxe limitation is lacking.
Please examine the photographs carefully for the binding, plate suites, and condition.
A particularly handsome copy of this deluxe French illustrated book, combining one of the first 30 Japon impérial copies, four states of every principal etching, a signed full-morocco binding by F. Michon, and exceptionally striking iridescent doublures.
