[René Kieffer] ; Rudyard Kipling / G. Braun - Lettres du Japon [num. sur vélin avec suite] - 1925

Luxury edition, the 9th volume of the collection 'L'amour des livres' established by Renée Kieffer, illustrated with 21 color plates outside the text by Georges Braun and decorated with sanguine ornamentation by H. Tirman.

Limited to 1,050 numbered copies. This one, printed on vellum (no. 846) and enhanced with a black suite of the off-text illustrations not specified in the certificate.

A fine copy preserved in its publisher's binding, in the Bradel style, with illustrated covers featuring a geometric composition made up of gilded figurative elements (hearts, books, stars) on a brown background, a smooth spine with a triple gold fillet frame, author and title in gold lettering, beautiful covers preserved, printed in sanguine and silver - without the spine.

The only 'collection' ever offered by éditions René Kieffer, 'L'amour des livres' includes 20 volumes published between 1924 and 1929. The works that comprise it are more similar in layout than in text: contemporary authors are alongside Stendhal or Pouchkine. Furthermore, 'L'amour des livres' stands out from the rest of Kieffer's production in that the illustrations are limited to a few ornaments at the beginning and end of chapters or to a frame around the text.

This collection is interesting both in terms of text and presentation. Typography is master there. The decor is subordinate to it, which is a good discipline.

These eleven letters recounting Rudyard Kipling's stay in Japan were written in 1889 for publication in an Indian newspaper. Kipling was 24 years old, he was constantly writing, and he decided to leave India for London to advance his literary career. Instead of taking the quickest route via the Suez Canal, he nearly circumnavigated the globe by passing through Asia and North America, from March to October.
Arriving at the time of cherry blossom season, Kipling was enchanted by Japan and its people. From Nagasaki to Nikkô, passing through Kôbe, Ôsaka, Kyôto, Tôkyô, and Yokohama, he viewed everything he saw with a kind and unique perspective, far from the condescending attitude of most of his contemporaries.

In very good condition. Spines, corners, and edges slightly rubbed. Bright gilding. Impeccable interior. Uncut.

[René Kieffer] ; Rudyard Kipling / G. Braun
Letters from Japan [numbered on vellum with continuation]
Paris, Kieffer, 1925
in-8 (20.5 x 15 cm); 199 pages