16. Paris, chez Hangard-Maugé, Lithographe, Libraire-éditeur, 1858, 4 volumes in-4°, 27 x 22,5 cm, [I - rext] (10)nn pp (with chromolithographic frontispiece) + 344 pp. [II -text] (6)nn pp ( with col. frontispiece) + 280 pp. [III -plate vol. 1] (4)nn pp + 16 pp + 158 chromolithographic plates + (2)nn pp (plate index). [IV- plate vol. 2] (4)nn pp + 164 chromo. plates + (2)nn pp ( plate index. ( complete work). Binding. Bound in 4 uniform bindings in full black morocco. All covers decorated with a large rectangle consisting of 16 fillets each with a diminishing thickness, with the initials 'D.E.E.' in the centre. Raised gilt spines, top edge gilt. Binding signed F. Duquesne. With a small library stamp of the previous owner on the verso side of the first end leaf. Very handsome set , with stainless plates and text leaves, in a signed masterbinding - '' Duquesne ( Ghendt 1830-1902)''. This publication with a total of 324 colour plates was a milestone in the history of chromolithographic printing and publishing. At least 15 lithographers were employed in the proces which ran from 1852 till 1858. Among them Emile Beau, Racinet (father & son), the Thurwangers, Franz Kellerhoven...'' Les Arts somptuaires was an outstanding publication for its time by virtue of its scale, and also because its use of coated paper for the plates allowed the inks to sparkle on the page '' ( M.Twyman -History of Chromolithography - pp 158). Indeed !. And this is a sparkling copy.
Reference : 46703
Antiquariaat Wim de Goeij
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