Beijing Rongbaozhai xin ji shijian pu ("Fine Letter Papers From the Beijing Rongbaozhai Studio").

Beijing: Rongbaozhai xinji,, 1955. The Chinese Picasso First edition, first printing, here in excellent condition, of this 1955 collection of "letter papers" curated by the Rongbaozhai fine arts studio, reproducing several dozen works by Qi Baishi, known as the "Chinese Picasso", as well as examples by many other prominent artists from the late Qing and Republican periods. This is an attractive example of fine press publishing in 20th-century China. First produced in 1951, Rongbaozhai's collections of letter papers - the name given to illustrated sheets designed and executed by literati to enhance their written correspondence - showcase the visually arresting work of leading practitioners of this art form. The present work contains many examples by Qi Baishi (1864-1957), one of the "Four Great Masters of 20th-century Chinese painting" (Perkins, p. 404), who also brushed the calligraphy used for the title labels. Qi's contributions exhibit his well-known fascination with insects, flowers and birds, variably rendered in either broad strokes or precise fine lines. Alongside the work of Qi Baishi, this album includes letter paper designs by other artistic luminaries including Wu Daiqiu (1878-1949), Wang Mengbai (1888-1934), Ma Jin (1900-1970), Yan Bolong (1898-1955), Tang Dingzhi (1878-1948), Wang Shizi (1885-1950), Li Hechou (1891-1974), Wu Guangyu (1908-1970), Xu Yansun (1899-1961), Yang Jichuan (1903-1976), Chen Banding (1876-1970), Chen Shiceng (1876-1923), Wang Xuetao (1903-1982), Cao Kejia (1906-1979), Jin Beilou (1878-1926), and Wang Shaonong (dates unknown). Founded in 1894 on the legacy of a studio dating back to 1672, Rongbaozhai's publications are typified by decorative silk brocade cases, volumes bound in the traditional Chinese xianzhuang style, and the use of xuan paper, long prized by artists and calligraphers. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Rongbaozhai became a state-controlled publishing enterprise and continued to specialize in collectable art publications issued in small print-runs for a select political and cultural elite, as well as for overseas sale to art connoisseurs, book collectors, and institutions. Two volumes, quarto. Original blue wrappers flecked with gilt, silver silk thread xianzhuang stitching, spine ends capped with silk, xylographic title labels on front covers. Housed in original silk brocade folding case with xylographic and gilt-specked title label, bone ties. With 80 colour prints. Wrappers bright, couple of nicks to fore edge of vol. II front cover, top and bottom edges lightly foxed, internally clean and bright. A fine copy in fine case. Dorothy Perkins, Encyclopedia of China: History and Culture, 2013.