Greece. - Épreuve d'Essai polychrome du 100 Drachmai Grèce - 1935

Georges HOURRIEZ (1878-1953) -
Rare Epreuve d'Essai polychrome de Billet de Banque / Titre - Allegory of Mercury and Port of Trade (1935) - Signed & Dated - Unique Atelier Piece
Description:
Exceptional original steam-roller proof in polychrome mezzotint (blue, green, ochre, lilac) drawn from the personal archives of master engraver Georges Hourriez (1878-1953). Executed on the precise date of June 18, 1935, this highly developed project presents a complete iconographic maquette for a banknote or a financial title of international scope. In the center sits a masterful allegory of Mercury with his caduceus and winged helmet, flanked by superb backdrops illustrating maritime commerce (steamships at sea on the left, industrial port and docks on the right). The piece is doubly dated and hand-signed in graphite by the artist: G. Hourriez sc. 18-6-35.

detailed description:

1. Identification of the Work
Artist / Engraver: Georges HOURRIEZ (1878-1953), renowned official engraver for high-security designs (Bank of France, securities and stamps).
Document type: Superb original workshop technical proof, printed in polychrome mezzotint (subtle nuances of blue, green, ochre, and pink/lilac).
Type of work: Model / Decorative framing and vignette study for a prestigious banknote or financial title (type of government bond or stock).
Exact historical date: 18 June 1935 (Dated twice 18-6-35 by the artist).

2. Marginal Annotations & Authentication
The document features several pencil graphite manuscript annotations of prime importance:
Main signature: Counter-signed within the right border of the composition: “G. Hourriez sc.” (indicating that he himself carved/engraved the matrix in mezzotint).
Official workshop dating: Placed next to the main signature ("18-6-35") and repeated at the bottom left of the sheet ("18_6_35"). Second signature / Archive note: A trace of a supplementary signature truncated “G. Hourriez” accompanied by the beginning of a year ("193...") is also visible at the far right.

3. Iconographic and Symbolic Analysis
This composition vividly symbolises Trade, Merchant Marine, and Economic Exchange—central themes of fiduciary art in the 1930s:
Central motif: Allegory of the god Mercury (Hermes), guardian of merchants and commerce. He is depicted in profile, wearing his famous petasos (winged helmet), firmly holding the caduceus in his right hand and a branch in his left. A textured ochre background enhances his profile.
Industrial and Maritime Background:
To Mercury’s left, background ships of commerce at sea are visible. To the right, a detailed view of an industrial port with unloading cranes, docks, and steam-powered ships moored.
Framing: The upper frame is lavishly decorated with a hanging vegetal and floral garland, framed by vertical laurel branches. Two rectangular upper cartouches and the lower side margins are left blank for future legal or value inscriptions.

4. Condition
Graved area: Magnificent freshness of the polychrome inks. The finesse of mezzotint hatching on the face and the industrial port is intact.
Margins and Support: Period workshop paper showing traces inherent to the technical creation process (moisture marks at the edge and a violet workshop ink blot in the lower margin).
These usage elements reinforce the piece’s authenticity and its character as a “direct working document” without altering the central engraved motif.