Les Villages illusoires (The Illusory Villages)
Paris: Devambez, 1929. Limited edition. Softcover. 1/20. Folio (13 1/2 x 11"). 137, [5]pp. Original glassine over decorative dust-jacket and blind wrappers. Book housed in its original chemise, with title label to spine. Chemise itself housed in its matching slipcase. Color illustrated title page.
Originally published in 1895, "Les Villages illusoires" by Belgian symbolist Émile Verhaeren, is one of two works (the other being "Les Villes tentaculaires") expressing the writer's growing concern for social problems based on the 'illusory character' of human perception.
This striking limited edition is splendidly illustrated by Belgian artist Julien van Santen who studied under Brussels engraver Jeff Codron. Our copy contains 50 of the 51 etchings (17 etchings in 3 states), as the 17th etching is in two states only.
One of 20 artist copies after 40 copies on japon impérial, 30 on japon and 130 on Vélin d'Arches (total edition 220).
Minor shelf wear and age-toning to spine. Minor and sporadic foxing along paper edges (not affecting lettering or illustrations). Text in French. Slipcase and chemise in overall good to good+ condition, glassine, dust-jacket, wrappers and interior in very good condition. g to vg. Item #44148
* Émile Verhaeren (1855-1916), foremost among the Belgian poets who wrote in French. The vigor of his work and the breadth of his vision have been compared to those of Victor Hugo and Walt Whitman.
Price: $650.00