Arts et métiers graphiques 1927–1939. 68 Vols. (Complete)
Paris: Arts Et Métiers Graphiques, Hachard et Cie, 1927-1939. First editions. Softcover. Small Folio. Variant pagination. Original wraps with modern design and typography printed in color on covers, protected by original glassine; protected by custom-made gray and blue tone cloth chemises with gilt lettering on black leather labels of spines, in matching cloth slipcases.
Extraordinary complete collection of one of the most important and comprehensive publications on printing, typography and book design. Its founder Charles Peignot, also the director of the type foundry Deberny et Peignot, who's intent was to make it the most luxurious serial of its time; representing the French potential in printing for advertisement, posters, typography, and photography. In addition to Deberny et Peignot two of the most prestigious printers in Paris, Draeger and Mourlot Fréres among many others were involved; the latter for lithography in particular.
Among the contributors were members of the international 'Avantgarde-Elite' Jean Carlu, A. M. Cassandre, Brodovitch, Tschichold, Janco, Maximillien Vox for posters, advertisement and typography, Paul Valéry, Leon-Paul Fargue, André Suares, Claude Roger-Marx, Paul Léqutaud, Philippe Soupault, Jean Cocteau, Paul Eluard, Pierre Mac Orland for text contributions, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, Edward Steichen, Man Ray, Lucia Moholy, Lazlo Moholy-Nagy, A. Kertesz, Herbert Bayer, Albert Renger-Patzsch, Germain Krull, Soubez, Laure-Anne Guillot, and Brassai for photography.
The exceptionally high printing quality was apparent in the special issue No. 16, dedicated to photography with more than 130 photographs. The issue was exemplary for the range of photography of the time. The serial regularly featured lithographs, engravings and woodcuts, including works by Alain Derain, Raoul Dufy, Henri Matisse, Max Ernst, Frans Masereel and others. Specials issues feature photography (16), the Art Book (26), advertising (42), Victor Hugo (47).
The excellence of this serial for design, typography, photography and art, applied to the production of this publication is apparent in every issue. The issues include original woodcuts, engravings, helio- and photogravure, lithographs, acquatints, pochoir; and hand coloring, neogravure, radiography, solarized photography, all reproduced in the highest quality from a multitude of French printers. The variety of high quality paper sampled, be it for the reproduction of classic as well as contemporary art and literature, is no less astounding than the range of tipped-in, finished examples of printed advertisement samples.
Among the highlights in the set are the folded advertisement for Bugatti (4), the photomechanical reproduction of marble on heavy coated, glossy paper (6), a color poster by Jean Carlu folded and wrapped around a heavy paper plate (8), various woodcuts by Alfred Latour, the editor of the Establissement Nicolas wine catalogs, Tschimoukow's rendering of "Aline ou les Aventures de Zitiouaouaou" printed to metal paper (21), the drawing from the book "History of the World" for children, printed to canvas (27), an embossed red paper sample for a confectionery box (33), Andre Vigneau's cartoon with printed clear plastic overlay (39), a lithograph from Maupassant's complete works with hand-coloration by Daniel Jacomet (44), a foldout of the "Bal Champètre (Country Ball)," by Jarville-Nancy, printed from the original plates (45), the Victor Hugo special issue (47), the lithographs of the palette of Henri Matisse and the gatefold advertisement of Air France (50), a plate of a design by Libis, printed in six colors with gold overprint or the color lithograph by Henri Matisse (68), not to forget the group of contemporary photographers presented in the special issue on photography.
Text in French. Issues 52 through 59, and 61 through 67 without the original glassine, lightly rubbed. Some light wear along edges of glassine of most issues, spine of volume 16 with some chipping and closed tears. Generally some light wear along edges but insides in fine condition. Very good- to fine condition. Item #51933
Price: $12,000.00