Exposition Rétrospective de l'Art Français des origines à 1800
Paris: Librairie Centrale des Beaux-Arts, Émile Levy, Éditeur, [1900]. First edition. Hardcover. Folio (15 3/4 x 12"). [4], iv, iv, 140pp (Text), [100] leaves (Plates), as issued. Contemporary 3/4 burgundy morocco over red cloth, with gold lettering and ruling to spine. Top and bottom edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Half-title and title page in red and black lettering.
Published on the occasion of the 1900 Paris World Fair, and splendidly illustrated throughout with 110 b/w photographic reproductions (in-text) and 100 plates in heliogravure (full-page), Émile Molinier's monumental history of French art from its origins to the year 1800, is an incredible feast for the eyes.
Some of the best specimen of French art regarding statues, pieces of furniture, paintings, ceramics, ivories, bronze, tapestry embroideries, armour, Christian objects of worship, clocks, busts, etc.. are featured in the plates.
Moderate rubbing along edges of binding with slight abrasion to leather. Previous owner's Ex-libris on inside of front cover (Gwendolen & Dorothy Jefferson). Some foxing to fly leaves. Minor and sporadic foxing throughout. Text in French. Binding in overall good, interior in good+ to very good, plates in very good condition. g to vg. Item #43965
Price: $225.00