Théophile Gautier - ‎Émaux et Camées [reliure de J. Van West] - 1913

A beautifully bound copy of the famous collection 'Emaux et camées,' the pinnacle of poetic art by Théophile Gautier.

Vermilion half-morocco with corner signatures by J. Van West inside, gilded edges along the boards and corners, rounded back decorated with a title piece and mosaic leather borders, gilded edges, title, and date in gilded letters. Gilded head. Covers and spine preserved.

One of the 989 paper copies from Manufactures de Rives, this one no. 113.

Enhanced with a wood-engraved frontispiece by P.-Eug. Vibert, four hors-texte portraits, and a facsimile of a handwritten page by Théophile Gautier. Beautiful typographic ornaments in the 'Art Nouveau' style (headbands and drop caps).

Superb binding signed by Jules Karl Van West, the official bookbinder of the Château de Beloeil library, Société Royale des Bibliophiles et Iconophiles de Belgique. He was a bookbinding professor at La Cambre during the 1940s and 1950s, training, among others, August Kulche.

Condition: In good condition, leather slightly worn with small white stains on the bottom surface, scuffing on the corners and edges. Interior impeccable. Very beautiful specimen.


Théophile Gautier, P.-Eug. Vibert
Enamels and Cameos
Paris, Georges Crès et Cie, 'Les Maîtres du Livre,' 1913
in-8 (19.5 x 13 cm); 229 pages. 1 leaf.