[Avril, Paul] L'Eventail (Suite des Gravures)

Paris: A. Quantin, 1882. First edition. First edition. Quarto. Sumptuously bound by MATTHEWS in full crushed light brown morocco with blind-stamped rules, raised bands, bound to a Jansenist style, with enormously lavish and stunning wide gilt decorated dentelles tooled with fillets, scrolling foliage, fan tools, all around a central doublure inset light gray silk pastedown, the front with red and black printed design incorporating the author and illustrator's name and title in illustration (i.e. on silk), and the rear with related design without lettering. The two free endpapers are formed from the original illustrated endpapers. The text volume, numbered 46, is ONE OF 100 COPIES, printed on "papier du Japon," the suite of proofs are also printed on Japan paper. This is Uzannne's best-known work and a classic example of a sumptuously illustrated work published in a small edition, where the author worked in close collaboration with the illustrator. Proofs before text of the tinted illustrations, all by Paul Avril. Title printed in red and black with a vignetter in blue, half-title is signed by Paul Avril. A wonderful binding, with the Jansenist concept of plain outside and burst of decoration on the inside. Housed in contemporary marbled-covered slipcase. Binding and book are fine with with slight wearing on outer joint of front cover (not weakening). A lasting rarity thus.