VILLIERS DE L'ISLE-ADAM (Auguste de) and ROCHEGROSSE (George - Lot 302

VILLIERS DE L'ISLE-ADAM (Auguste de) and ROCHEGROSSE (Georges-Antoine). Akëdysséril. Illustrations by G. Rochegrosse. Exceptional copy on Japon impérial, including an original watercolor by Rochegrosse, several states of one of the compositions and a L.A.S. from the artist, in a sumptuous binding signed by Noulhac, decorated with an incised leather by Gustave Guétant depicting Akëdysséril in front of the temple of Sivà. Paris, Louis Conrad, 1906. In-4 (230x320 mm), midnight-blue morocco, ribbed spine framed with cold-stamped fillets extending over the boards, first cover decorated with a leather incised in color and gilded by Gustave Guétant, gilt edges on witnesses, interior gilt fillets, blue silk lining and endpapers, cover and spine preserved, slipcase (Noulhac, G. Guétant). 93 pages, 15 watercolors by Georges Rochegrosse engraved in color in the text by Louis Mortier. Text and illustrations framed by woodcut architectural decoration. Slight rubbing to edge of spine. First edition of 15 watercolors by Georges Rochegrosse engraved in color by Louis Mortier. Limited edition of 190 copies, this one of 20 on japon impérial (N°14), including an original watercolor (25x19 cm) used as a study for the illustration on p. 23, signed by the artist and placed in the frontispiece, a state of the composition on p. 29, with the artist's autograph remarks in pencil, as well as 3 color decomposition plates. Attached is a L.A.S. from Georges Rochegrosse, signed in El-Biar and dated April 22, 1911, concerning the shipment of a watercolor (1 double sheet in-12, 11x17 cm). Bookplate with initials "G.B." on a label on the first white endpaper. A splendid copy, in perfect condition.