Collectif - La Basoche. Revue littéraire & artistique, 1884–1886, EO complète - 1884-1886

Edited in Brussels by J.-B. Moens, 1884–1886.
13 fascicles, quarto - 26 x 17 cm for the first 12 and 21 x 15.5 cm for the last. The first 12 numbers contain between 40 and 60 pages each, printed on pale green or cream laid paper; the 13th volume is a large quarto of 256 pages. Entirely accompanied by 3 off- text etchings (including 2 identical by Léon Dardenne for the Visions of Arnold Goffin, and 1 by Jan Toorop for Maurice Frison’s Fin de Race), as well as a satirical obituary notice of the review. Some fascicles illustrated on the cover (notably nos. 1 to 4).
Structure of the work
The collection consists of 13 fascicles published between November 13, 1884 and 1886. It forms a complete series of this ephemeral Belgian review, today rare, oriented toward letters, art criticism, and Symbolist poetry. Each fascicle is independent but numbered chronologically, with monthly regularity. The final issue, particularly important, offers an alphabetical table of authors and texts. A few illustrations are on separate heavy paper. The review contains original works, reviews, and artistic chronologies. No binding: copies are pamphlet-form with original covers.
Theme of the book
La Basoche defines itself as a literary and artistic review of the fin-de-siècle current, aligned with Symbolist and Decadent movements. It treats lyrical poetry, literary and musical criticism, fantastic and impressionist short stories, exhibition reviews, and reflections on art. Its tone is elegant, scholarly, and sometimes deliberately irreverent, true to its motto “Why not?”
Brief biography of the author
This review is a collective enterprise, directed and published by a constellation of Belgian and French writers, among whom are Camille Lemonnier, Catulle Mendès, Stuart Merrill, Jean Ajalbert, André Fontainas, Henry de Tombeur, Luc Malper, Hector Chainaye, Pierre Quillard, and other figures of Francophone symbolism. Some of these authors would later contribute to La Société Nouvelle, La Jeune Belgique, La Plume, or Le Mercure de France.
About the illustrators
The work contains three original etchings: two identical, signed Léon Dardenne, inserted to accompany the Visions of Goffin, and a third by Jan Toorop, intended for the text Fin de Race by Frison. These works are in an off-text edition on heavy paper. The initial issues also feature illustrated covers depicting a medieval figure, signed “F.D.G” and “Berbant.” These artists helped give the review a distinctive graphic identity, typical of Belgian avant-garde artistic production in the 1880s.
Historical significance of the book
La Basoche is a valuable witness to Brussels’ literary effervescence in the 1880s, a period when Belgium established itself as a hub of avant-garde art and publishing. It is one of the emblematic reviews of fin-de-siècle literary flourishing, at the crossroads of symbolism, learned satire, and early modernist experiments. Its rarity and ephemerality (only 13 issues published) make it a sought-after collectible for lovers of decadent literature, Symbolist poetry, and Belgian bibliophily.
Condition of the work
The fascicles are generally in fair to good condition for pamphlet publications of that era. A few copies have broken hinges, bent corners, marginal tears or stains, especially nos. 12 and 13. Some pages are not trimmed. The early illustrated covers (nos. 1 to 4) are particularly fragile but still legible. The etchings are in good condition. Overall cohesive, complete, rare in this unbound form.
Nota bene: as I am not a professional bookseller I cannot always provide a fully professional description, especially for bound volumes, nor all conservation details. Photos are an integral part of the descriptions given in good faith, and I am available for specific questions.
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About the value of the book
The complete collection of La Basoche is rarely available in its entirety, and even more so in its original, unbound state with illustrated covers. A complete unbound copy of La Basoche, bound in two volumes, without mention of etchings or the obituary notice, sold at auction at Ader (March 1, 2023) for €1,000 plus fees. Our copy, unbound but complete, accompanied by 3 original engravings (one by Jan Toorop) and the journal’s death notice, has superior bibliophilic appeal. In the observed condition, and considering the rarity of the original unbound edition, a reasonable estimate sits between €900 and €1,200. No other complete collection with illustrations and obituary notice is currently available on specialized marketplaces, which further enhances its rarity.