Établissements Nicolas Maison Fondée en 1822. Lists Des Grands Vins. 33 Vols. Plus Variant Copy For 1949 [COMPLETE SET WITH 12 WINE LISTS AND 3 PIECES OF PROMOTION MATERIAL LAID IN]
Paris: Nicolas, 1929-1973. First printing. Softcover. Collection of thirty-five lavishly produced wine catalogs issued by the famous wine merchant Établissements Nicolas Maison from 1929 to 1973. The catalogs are issued in three variant formats. This collection represents the complete set of catalogs published by Nicolas, all protected by modern mylar, with an additional variant issue for 1949. In the years 1937, 1940-1948, 1952 and 1968 no catalogs were published. Design by Alfred Latour and, starting in 1966, by his son Jean Latour. All issues printed by Draeger Frères.
This collection contains the rare catalogs of 1929 (showing a tipsy bottle of wine printed in gold framed with red type), 1930, 1931 and 1972. Nicolas' catalogs were illustrated and designed by famous artists and typographers, e.g. A. M. Cassandre, Georges Darcy, Paul Iribe, Louis Legrand, Henri Fantin-Latour, Demetrios Galanis, André Diginimont, Bernard Buffet, Roger Chapelain-Midy, Francois Kollar, Bernard Lorjou, Kees van Dongen and others. The illustrations are rendered in different techniques, including screen printing, lithography, photomontage and four color printing.
The catalog for 1972, the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Nicolas, entitled "The Genius of Wine" was published in honor of the "Wines of France." It is illustrated with thirteen gouaches by André Derain, rendered lithographically. Printed by Draeger Frères in Montrouge on September 29, 1972, and presented by Thierry Maulnier of the Academy Francais.
Catalog 1929: Small Quarto (9 1/2 x 6 1/4"). 1 leaf laid in, 23pp. Original illustrated black handmade, folded paper wraps, debossed red lettering and gilt screen-printed caricature of a wine bottle on cover. Laid in is a stiff black paper leaf with tipped-on gold foil page, green top border and red lettering. The text of this page: "For the first time the Nicolas Establishments publishes the names of the prestigious bottles of their particular "Grande Reserve." An invaluable and unique collection in the world, presenting the most beautiful jewels of the land of France (see pages 12 and 13)" The corresponding offer of wine on the centerfold, listing "Grand Reserves' as old as 1848, is printed to gilt-printed paper. The catalog is illustrated with two full page photogravures, enhanced with gilt illustrations and decor as well as various gilt-printed illustrations and decor in text. The bottom of the pages with gilt-printed quarter-inch border throughout. Printed by Draeger Frères.
Catalog 1930. Small Quarto (9 1/2 x 7 1/4"). Unpaginated with paper leaf laid in featuring an offset reproduction of a cartoon in color and red and black lettering advertising the wines of Burgundy. Original spiral-bound stiff wraps with caricature wine bottle, screen-printed in Navy Blue to gridded gilt cover with red lettering. Extravagantly designed wine catalog with staggered blue top and bottom borders. Title page and wine lists printed in red and blue with two full page and six in-text caricatures of wine bottles, rendered lithographically. The centerfold contains the list of "Prestigieuses Bouteilles" printed in burgundy framed by two astonishing full page photomontages, printed to gold foil, and tipped to the pages flanking the centerfold. There is no artist credited for the illustrations and photomontages, it therefore may be assumed that they are by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1931: Small Quarto as above. 24 (2)pp. Original spiral-bound stiff screen-printed blue wraps, glassine protected, with five star cutout revealing the letter N printed in blue to stiff silver paper, here completing the the merchant Nicolas. The catalog is printed to light brown and green candy colored paper with white and black diagonal border. The prestigious wine list is printed in white to stiff black paper, folded with impressive color lithograph on centerfold, signed A.M. Cassandre in plate. Contains two additional full page caricatures, at front printed in white to green candy colored, in b/w to light brown paper at rear, both signed "A.M.C. 30" in plate.
Catalog 1932: Small Quarto as above. 31 (1)pp. Original spiral-bound black wraps with oval cutout revealing an high-quality offset reproduction of a crayon by Edy Legrand, with blind-stamped framing and lettering on cover; protected by modern plastic cover. Illustrated with eight full page reproductions of crayons by Legrand in color, and ten abstract drawings used as endpieces, two Art Nouveau decorative drawings framing the prestigious wine offerings. Some light water-staining along bottom edges of printed pages up to page 16, not affecting color reproductions.
Catalog 1933: Small Quarto as above. 31 (1)pp. Original spiral-bound silver wraps with cutout revealing high-quality offset reproduction of watercolor by Jean Hugo, with blind-stamped framing and lettering on cover; protected by modern plastic cover. Laid in blue leaf with printed merchant statement. Illustrated with additional four full page renderings by Hugo in oval frame, and sixteen used as headpieces.
Catalog 1934. Small Quarto. 30 (2)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound cream handmade, textured stiff wraps featuring a color woodcut by Alfred Latour, silver lettering and framing, all screen-printed to cover, protected by modern plastic cover. Printed to Japan fold paper and illustrated with twelve woodcuts depicting city and landscapes by Alfred Latour, printed as headpieces, and decorative endpieces, all rendered in color lithography.
Catalog 1935: Small Quarto. 35 (1)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff black wraps with exquisite decorative floral drawing in color on bronze background by Darcy on dustjacket, rendered lithographically, protected by modern plastic cover. Laid in folded blue paper with printed merchant statement. All pages printed in black on textured paper in color. Illustrated with six full page color artworks as well as numerous decorative head and endpieces by Darcy. No credits for layout and typography.
Catalog 1936: Small Quarto. 48 (1)pp. Japan fold. Original black celluloid spiral-bound stiff wraps with typographical design on front, decorative on back cover, rendered lithographically, protected by modern plastic cover. Title page printed in three colors. Catalog organized in three chapters, wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and a other French regions. Impressive compositions and typography of the catalog by A. M. Cassandre, rendered lithographically.
Catalog 1937 not published.
Catalog 1938: Small Quarto. 50 (1)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with artwork in color by Cassandre on dustjacket, decor on back cover in brown, protected by modern plastic cover. Second title page with elaborate Art Nouveau drawing framing the text. In addition the catalog features five full page, one double page artwork with culinary motifs and eight smaller artworks as well as designs used as head and endpieces by A. M. Cassandre. The double page listing for exceptional wines is framed with a decorative Art Nouveau border in color. Laid in a printed double page with brief address to clients and wine list.
Catalog 1939: Small Quarto. 44 (1)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff tan wraps with letter N lithographed into debossed rectangular frame of textured dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Light brown endpapers. Title pages printed in blue and black. Illustrated with eight full page color drawings, three of them double page, and several b/w drawings used as head and endpieces by C. Erickson, all rendered in lithography, and layout and typography by A. M. Cassandre. Block lightly age-toned.
Catalogs 1940–1948 not published.
Catalog 1949: Small Quarto. 31 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff cream wraps, illustrated by Dignimont lithographically on dustjacket, and protected by modern plastic cover. Title page printed in red and black. Illustrated with five full page color reproductions of watercolors and numerous in-text drawings by Dignimont. Artistic direction by A. M. Cassandre. Block lightly age-toned and small stain at upper foredge of cover. Laid in two pieces of printed Nicolas advertisements and one of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion.
Catalog 1949 (Variant): Small Quarto. 31 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff white wraps, illustrated by Dignimont and protected by modern mylar. Title page is printed in red and black. Illustrated with five full page color reproductions of watercolors and numerous in-text drawings by Dignimont. Artistic direction by A. M. Cassandre. Block lightly age-toned and small stains at upper foredge of cover. Very light wear along edges of wraps.
Catalog 1950: Small Quarto. 32 (2)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff cream wraps with color illustration by R. Harada, rendered in lithography on dustjacket, with textured frame and black lettering and ruling, protected by modern plastic cover. Title page printed in red and black. Laid in light blue, printed double-page of Nicolas ephemera. Illustrated with six beautiful full page watercolors and various small watercolors as head and endpiece by R. Harada, all rendered lithographically. Most of them with stamp signature or initials of artist. Layout and typography by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1951: Small Quarto. 33 (3)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff white wraps with red and white lettering and gilt frame on cover of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Quarter inch gray rulings at gutter. Frontispiece artwork and nine additional full page and three headpiece illustrations by Berthommé Saint-André. Artwork with captions. Ornamental two color endpieces, layout and typography by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1952 not published.
Catalog 1953: Small Quarto. 39 (3)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound black wraps with screen-printed modern image in color, and gilt lettering on cover, protected by modern plastic cover. Inside cover with screen printed geometrical forms. Laid in printed Nicolas price list. Screen-printed title page in color. Illustrated with ten full page color screen prints by Léon Gischia. Ornamentation, layout and typography by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1954: Small Quarto. 33 (2)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with b/w lettering and multiple black frames on rose dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Frontispiece color lithograph. Title page printed in red and black. Illustrated with nine full page and seven half-page color lithographs of watercolors by Kees van Dongen. Full page watercolors with regional descriptors. Typography and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in a current price list, printed to folded tan paper.
Catalog 1955: Small Quarto. 31 (2)pp. Original celluloid spiral-bound stiff white wraps with color lithograph of still life by André Marchand on dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Title page printed in red and black. Illustrated with seven full page and eight half page paintings, two of these double page by André Marchand, rendered in color lithography. Contains list of titles of paintings and facsimile signature of Marchand at rear. Ornaments, typography and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in double page with current wine list, printed to light purple paper.
Catalog 1956: Small Quarto. 34 (1)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with color lithograph of painting by Roland Oudot on dustjacket, entitled "Ile-de-France." Protected by modern plastic cover. Color lithograph frontispiece. Illustrated with eight full page and nine smaller paintings by Roland Oudot, plus frontispiece. One of the paintings is the centerfold, all are rendered lithographically. Contains list with titles of paintings at rear. Typography and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in a folded wine list with current price changes, printed to light brown paper.
Catalog 1957: Small Quarto. 34 (2)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with color lithograph of watercolor by Constantin (Kosta) Terechkovitch on dustjacket; protected by modern plastic cover. Frontispiece color lithograph. Illustrated with eight full page, including centerfold, and nine small watercolors by Terechkovitch under the title "A small Girl." Contains list with title of watercolors at rear. Typography and layout by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1958: Small Quarto. 34 (2)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with color lithograph of painting by Roger Limouse on dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color lithograph frontispiece. Title page printed in red and black with ruling. All text pages are printed in black and red and alternate black and white ruling. Illustrated with ten full page color lithographs of paintings by Roger Limouse, including frontispiece and centerfold, and six small paintings by the artist. Contains list with tiles of paintings at rear. Typography and layout by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1959: Small Quarto. 43 (3)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with color lithograph of painting by Christian Gaillard on dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color lithograph frontispiece. Illustrated with nine full page paintings by Christian Gaillard, including centerfold and frontispiece, and two smaller paintings though double paged, all rendered lithographically. Some of the text pages printed to paper in variant colors. Contains list with titles of paintings at rear. Ornamentation of endpieces, typography and layout by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1960: Small Quarto. 35 (3)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral bound white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Robert Humblot on dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color frontispiece. Title page and text printed in black and gold. Illustrated with eight full page color reproductions of Humblot paintings, three of them double page, and three of his smaller paintings. Contains list with titles of paintings with facsimile signature of Humblot at rear. Ornamentation of endpieces, typography and layout by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1961: Small Quarto. 35 (3)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Georges Rohner on dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color frontispiece. Title and some of the text pages printed in black and light brown. Illustrated with nine full page color reproductions of paintings by Georges Rohner, three of them double page, and three small paintings. Contains list with titles of paintings with Rohner's facsimile signature at rear. Ornamentation, typography and layout by Alfred Latour.
Catalog 1962: Small Quarto. 34 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original celluloid spiral-bound white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by André Minaux on dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color frontispiece. Title and text pages printed in black and light umber. Illustrated with eight full page color reproductions of Minaux paintings, four of them double page. Contains list with titles and facsimile signature at rear. Ornaments, typography and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in a light brown handmade paper page listing "Grand Vins 1962," printed in two colors.
Catalog 1963: Quarto (11 x 8 1/2"). 32 (2)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of watercolor by Bernard Buffet on front and back cover of dustjacket. Title page and text pages printed in red and black. Illustrated with six double page watercolors and three illustrated endpieces in color by Bernard Buffet. List of titles at rear with signatures of Buffet in facsimile. Typography and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in a double page wine list with red and black lettering printed to gray paper.
Catalog 1964: Quarto. 36 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Claude Schurr on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color frontispiece. Title and text pages printed in black and green. Illustrated with two full page, including frontispiece, and seven double page paintings by Claude Schurr. Contains list of titles of artwork with facsimile signature of Schurr at rear. Typography, ornamental endpieces and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in small double page Nicolas wine list printed in green and black.
Catalog 1965: Quarto. 34 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a watercolor by Chapelain Midy on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Title and text pages printed in black and gray with ruling in variant grays. Illustrated with two full page, six double page watercolors and four color vignettes by Chapelain Midy. List of titles with facsimile signature of Midy at rear. Typography and layout by Alfred Latour. Laid in a double page wine list printed to pidgeon blue paper with orange titles design.
Catalog 1966: Quarto. 36 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Paul Guiramand on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Double page color frontispiece. Title and text pages printed in black and ochre. Illustrated with five double page paintings by Paul Guiramand, five additional double page paintings, centered with large white frames at top and bottom, and four vignettes in two colors by the artist. List of paintings and facsimile signature of the artist at rear. Typography and layout by Jean Latour.
Catalog 1967: Quarto. 37 (3)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Maurice Savin on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color frontispiece. Title page printed in ochre and black with two color vignette. Text pages printed in ochre and black. Illustrated with six double page paintings by Savin, additional two full page paintings, including frontispiece, and six two color vignettes, including title page. Vignettes rendered lithographically. Typography and layout by Jean Latour.
Catalog 1968 not published.
Catalog 1969: Quarto. 32 (4)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Bernard Lorjou on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Half-title, title page and text pages printed in green and pink. This extravagant issue, the third year of the new designer Jean Latour, features a double page fold-out color frontispiece (21 1/2 x 16 3/4"), entitled "Le Paradise Terrestre," and a color gate fold at the center, both paintings by Bernard Lorjou. In addition the issue features six full page color color reproductions, one of them double page, and three vignettes. With list of titles of the artwork and facsimile signature of the artist at rear. Typography and layout by Jean Latour.
Catalog 1970: Quarto. 31 (5)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Maurice Ghiglion-Green on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Double-page frontispiece. Title page and text pages printed in black and ochre. Illustrated with seven color reproductions of Ghiglion-Green paintings, three of them double page, and six b/w drawings used as endpieces. Contains list of titles with facsimile signature of artist at rear. Typography and layout by Jean Latour.
Catalog 1971: Quarto. 33 (3)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Maurice Elie Sarthou on front and back covers of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Color frontispiece. Title page and text pages printed in black and grass green. Illustrated with seven full page color reproduction of Sarthou's paintings, three of them double page, and four drawings used as endpieces. Contains list of titles with facsimile signature of artist at rear. Typography and layout by Jean Latour.
Catalog 1972: Folio (12 1/4 x 10 1/4"). Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a gouache by André Derain on front cover of dustjacket. The title page, "Le Génie du Vin," is illustrated with a gouache by André Derain and presented by Thierry Maulnier of the Academie de France. This is a regular copy. The first 300 copies were numbered and reserved for clients purchasing "prestigious bottles" offered to the committee for the safeguard of Venice on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of Nicolas. The brie introduction entitled "Wine, Gods, Poetry," is followed by eleven exquisite gouaches by Derain, accompanied by short poetic texts on facing pages throughout. The 1972 list of Grand Wines offered by Nicolas, printed on parchment to a twelve page pamphlet, is laid in.
Catalog 1973: Quarto. 31 (5)pp. Japan fold. Original white wraps with high quality color reproduction of a painting by Raymond Guerrier on front and back cover of dustjacket, protected by modern plastic cover. Double page color frontispiece. Title page, with light brown frame, and text pages printed in black and light brown. Illustrated with seven full page color reproductions, three of them double page, and nine vignettes by Guerrier; vignettes printed in black and light brown. Contains list of titles with facsimile signature of Guerrier at rear. Typography and layout by Jean Latour. Very good to fine condition. Item #50374
Alfred Latour (1888-1968), a French painter and engraver, worked extensively and successfully as a graphic designer. Latour's graphic work was sometimes compared to that of Raoul Dufy. Latour mastered painting, wood carving, graphic design, illustrator, photography , among other disciplines. In 1935 he joined the Union des Artistes Modernes as a graphic designer. His friendships with Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Sonia Delauny, Man Ray, Cassandre and others were in part due to his distaste for academicism, which they all had in common. In 1966 his son Jean took over his position at the Établissements Nicolas Maison. The Alfred Latour Foundation was established in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 2004, led by Latour's nephew Claude Latour.
Price: $4,750.00