Les Plaideurs
Paris: Les Bibliophiles du Palais, 1932. Jean Bruller (1902 – 1991). Limited Edition. 8vo, 10 1/4 x 7 1/8 inches (260 x 180 mm); (10), 128, (18) pp., printed in black and red on Rives wove paper; 4 original etchings by Jean Bruller printed in brown-black ink, tissue guards, and numerous typographical embellishments, dropcaps and tailpieces by Louis Jou. Signatures loosely stitched together; paper cover with title in black ink on cover and spine, original glassine overcover intact. Chemise and slipcase in marbled paper, grey-blue spine label with gilt titling; chemise partially split at joints and spine sunned, slipcase with corners lightly bumped.; interiors clean, back pages unopened.
Copy VIII, specially printed for Monsieur Agostino Soldati as stated on the individual limitation page, out of an edition of 200 numbered I–XL and 1–160.
[Carteret IV, 330; BNF32552458].
An elegant edtion of Racine's only comedy, The Plaideurs was inspired by Aristophanes' The Wasp and first performed in 1668. This special limited edition was commissioned by the Bibliophiles du Palais, a society made up of members of the Council of State, senior magistrates, lawyers, solicitors, notaries,and forensic doctors. It was established in 1924 and was made of a leadership committee and a technical commission. Among them bibliophile and art critic Paul Istel was a leading figure. They chose from a diverse array of authors from Aristophnes to Colette, from Montesquieu to Verlaine and published books in editions of 200 copies. [Carteret, L. Le trésor du bibliophile romantique et moderne, 1801-1875; Vol. 2, pp. 229-230.]
The French writer, illustrator, and publisher Jean Marcel Adolphe Bruller (26 February 1902 – 10 June 1991) was charged with producing four etchings for this work. Bruller wrote under the pseudonym Vercors, in reference to his participation in the Resistance during the World War II occupation of northern France and in particular to the Battle of Vercors where many partisans and civilians were killed by a German contingent of 10,000 men.
Condition: Fine / Very good.
Item number: 1449
Price: $350.00
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