PEYRE. VILLON (François). Complete works. Paris, Arthaud, 19 - Lot 674

PEYRE. VILLON (François). Complete works. Paris, Arthaud, 1945. In-4, red morocco, spine with 4 raised bands, green morocco author's and title-pieces, caissons decorated with gilded fleurons in a mosaic Havana frame, frieze and gilded fillets, the covers decorated with a frame of gilded fillets, a Havana band and green squares at the spandrels, central fleuron gilded and mosaicked in havana and green at the center of the boards, counterplates edged in morocco decorated with interlacing and gilded fillets and mosaicked green squares at the spandrels, gilded edges on witnesses, matching slipcase [Marie-Louise H. Farge] (some rubbing to slipcase; russeting throughout). 19 woodcuts including one on cover, thirteen plates and five in-text by Jean Peyre. Limited edition of 1,525 copies: one of the top 10 on genuine Manufactures Impériales japon (no. 7); enriched with a suite of 19 woodcuts on chine, one of which is repeated, thus 20 leaves in all. Impressive, perfectly executed binding. Active in the twenties and thirties, the bookbinder Marie-Louise H. Farge demonstrated exemplary mastery of her art, producing even the decorated papers herself. Her work featured a highly personal type of decoration, of which this binding is a shining example.