Bibliophily The Book of Tomorrow

Le livre de Demain

1884, 240 x 160 mm

Original covers, loose fascicles.

In November 1884, Jean Marchand printed a curious book by Albert de Rochas in Blois entitled: Le Livre de demain, the book of tomorrow. It contains chapters on the possibilities of color in books, by means of paper and ink.

In his introduction, Albert de Rochas (1837-1914) explains that the majority of contemporary bibliophiles have only a vague (and often wrong) idea of ​​printing techniques, paper and ink. When they publish something themselves, they leave the layout and choice of paper and the like to their publisher or printer, who usually chooses the safest route by not trying out something new.

Modern industrial resources remain untapped, says the author, and one of the things that can easily be done differently is the introduction of more color into books, which are usually printed in black ink on white paper. De Rochas wants to set an example in his book by printing on dozens of different colors of paper in a range of colors, from white to gold to blue to yellow. He does that, not just for decorative reasons, no, he says:

mais encore pour servir d'auxiliaire à l'écrivain.

In short, also to help the author in the expression of his ideas. After the chapters on paper, ink and color, a large section follows 'Applications', applications of color inks and colored paper.

The copies at auction were issued in separate fascicles, since in this case they are loose, with the preface and the etching, it is for me to difficult to collate. The book is certainly incomplete, several pages are browned. I priced it thus.

4 pp. Signature, no 35, title page, preface 4 pp, le papier, 24 pp, L'Encre, 20 pp, La couleur 24 pp, (with different coloured borders), Cerle Chromatique, (4 circles), 4 pp, L'ecole Buissonniere, 16 pp, le Medicin de Cucugnan, 20 pp, Rondel (?), 8 pp, Conte Bleu, 16 pp (one silhouette), La coumunioun di Sant (Blue & gold), Le Gangui 9 pp (three in gold – armorial rochas), La Coquette, 8 pp in pink, La vieille mason, 16 pp, Pas d'armes, 4 pp, Sonnet treuve, 4pp, La Demoiselle 4 pp (in blue & gold), La Rose, 16 pp, in pink, Un cheveau blanc, 8 pp, (2 in black, one silhouette), Le printemps, 12 pp, Fetes des Laboureurs, 12 pp (yellow paper), La Feuile, 4 pp (beige), Le roi de thule, 4 pp (one silhouette), Avril (Green 4 pp, silhouette), La Bataille de Rocroi (pink, one silhouette), Les Jasmin 14 pp, (yellow, one silhouette), Cauchemar,8 pp, (violet), Les Vaudois, 8 pp (beige), L'art industriel a blois ,14 pp, Tautogramme, 4 pp, Symphonie en blanc majeur (silver),

Deuxieme partie: Applications, 12 pp, La chanson de la brise, 16 pp (on airmail paper), Manosque la Pudique, 12 pp, Le Chant des Potiers, 4 pp, Menu, 4 pp, Gaelimar au Pied, 4 pp, Militariana 8 pp, Estoueere, 8 pp, Enchatillons Divers 8 pp (10 paper examples),

Plus: 2 etchings, one Imprime Marchands, one photolitho, one other engraving