Erté Maquettes

Hyattsville, MD: Rebecca Press, 1984. Estorick, Michael. (58)pp. From an edition of 2,200, this is one of 200 specially bound deluxe copies, signed by Erté. Erté, whose fashion images adorned the pages of Harper's Bazaar from 1932 to 1937, was one of the most prominent French illustrators of the Art Deco period. With a foreward by Bingham, and an introduction by Salomé Estorick. Estorick and her husband owned the Grosvenor Gallery in London, and were also Erté's agents. Illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Erté at age 91 sketched by their son, Michael. The text is followed by forty-four maquettes that Erté designed in miniature as covers for Harper's Bazaar, although only two were ever enlarged into full-size covers. Their subjects and design are modèrne in style, colorfully capturing 1930s fashion and elegance. Most of Erté's maquettes had never been published before this undertaking. In addition to the natural suitability of publishing Erté's miniature paintings in a miniature format, Bingham explains that she designed the book around "the idea of showcasing a selection of Erté material in a format which would evoke its opulence and sensuality." Bound in sumptuous, brilliant blue snakeskin, with a black calf onlay lettered in silver and bordered with seed pearls. In place of the accent aigu, the final 'e' in Erté's name is topped with a round diamond, as the definitive statement about the artist's brilliant talent. The book is contained in the first issue box, an Art Deco-style sterling silver case with black calf sides, and a silver-edged triangle of blue snakeskin. The hinged box is lined in black silk, and a black silk tassel hangs from the clasp. The silver on the box is slightly tarnished, else very fine. All edges silver. (Bradbury, p. 232). (2 7/8 by 2 1/8; 74x55mm).