GAUTHIER, Théophile. Le Pavillon sur l'Eau. - Lot 204

GAUTHIER, Théophile. Le Pavillon sur l'Eau. Théophile Gauthier's Chinese tale exquisitely illustrated in the Art Nouveau style by Henri Caruchet, this copy printed on Japon and presented to the artist's companion in a beautiful binding by Canape et Corriez in mosaic morocco. Paris, Libairie des Amateurs A. Ferroud, 1900. In-8, full caramel morocco, spine with four false nerves, two cross-stamped fillets and a mosaic of jade and gilt lotus flowers, boards decorated with four of the same fleurons and a cross-stamped motif, edges of counterplates in the same morocco with framing decoration of gilt fillets, gilt edges, covers and spine preserved. Binding signed Canape et Corriez and dated 1936. 2 ff.n.ch. - VIII - 46 pp. - 2 ff.n.ch., 46 framed illustrations on each page. Some foxing on the first few leaves before the upper cover. First separate edition of this superbly illustrated short story. Limited edition of 350 copies, this one on Japon, unnumbered and offered by the publisher to Madame Caruchet, the illustrator's companion. Conceived as a true art book, the text on each page is sensitively framed by 46 stencil and watercolor compositions by Henri Caruchet, a leading illustrator of the Belle Epoque. While the Art Nouveau style that permeates Henri Caruchet's work lends its charm to this "adventure of the Jasper and the Pearl" (Camille Mauclair, preface), the later binding captivates not only for its mosaic finials, taken directly from the story's imagination, but also for its origin: Georges Canape, bookbinder to couturier Jacques Doucet, here associated with Corriez. Armorial bookplate, embossed and gilded, on the flyleaf. Rare and beautiful piece.