CHAM - – Douze Années Comiques (1868-1879) – 1000 Gravures – 1880 - 1868-1879

CHAM – Twelve Comical Years (1868-1879) – 1,000 Engravings – 1880

Description of the Item

A rare and superb album of 19th-century caricatures, an indispensable witness to Parisian life under the Second Empire and the Third Republic.
• Author: CHAM (Amédée de Noé, 1818–1879)
• Title: Douze Années Comiques (1868-1879)
• Introduction: Ludovic Halévy
• Publisher: Calmann Lévy Éditeur, Paris
• Year of Publication: 1880 (Original edition of this collection)
• Printer: Charles Unsinger, Paris
• Number of illustrations: 1,000 humorous black-and-white engravings and in-text drawings.

Overview of the Work:

This monumental work gathers the best of Cham’s satirical genius, one of the most famous French caricaturists of the 19th century and a pillar of the newspaper Le Charivari. Through 1,000 sharp and witty engravings divided year by year, the author examines politics, fashion, manners, and the foibles of bourgeois society from 1868 to 1879. The introduction is written by the celebrated dramatist Ludovic Halévy.

Condition Report:

• Cover / Binding: Original publisher's binding in full red percaline cloth (designed by Paul Souze, bound by Charles Magnier). The front board features brilliant gold-gilded stamping and blind-stamped geometric frames. Gold-gilded accents are present on the spine. Normal shelf wear, rubbing, and minor scuffing along the edges, corners, and spine ends (caps), but the binding remains very solid, square, and highly presentable on a bookshelf.
• Interior: Complete copy including the table of contents and full introduction. The paper shows light, scattered foxing consistent with its age, which does not affect readability or enjoyment of the artwork. Notable ghosting/foulage (imprinted pressure marks from the engravings on the reverse sides) is present on some pages, a standard characteristic of 19th-century heavy-press printing.
A beautiful collector's copy for enthusiasts of bibliophilia, French history, and the golden age of caricature art.

English description
CHAM – Twelve Comical Years (1868-1879) – 1,000 Engravings – 1880

Description

A rare and superb 19th-century caricature album, capturing the essence of Parisian life, politics, and society spanning the late Second Empire and the early Third Republic.
• Author: CHAM (Amédée de Noé, 1818–1879)
• Title: Douze Années Comiques (1868-1879)
• Introduction by: Ludovic Halévy
• Publisher: Calmann Lévy Éditeur, Paris
• Year of Publication: 1880 (First edition of this compilation)
• Printer: Charles Unsinger, Paris
• Illustrations: 1,000 humorous black-and-white engravings and in-text drawings.

About the Work:

This monumental volume compiles the absolute best work of Cham, one of the most prolific and celebrated French caricaturists of the 19th century and a key figure at the satirical newspaper Le Charivari. Divided chronologically year by year, the 1,000 sharp and witty engravings mock the politics, fashion, scandals, and daily habits of the Parisian bourgeoisie between 1868 and 1879. The extensive introduction is written by the famous dramatist and librettist Ludovic Halévy.

Condition Report:

• Cover / Binding: Original publisher's binding in full red percaline cloth (designed by Paul Souze, bound by Charles Magnier). The front board features brilliant gold-gilded stamping and blind-stamped geometric frames. Gold-gilded accents are present on the spine. Shows normal shelf wear, rubbing, and minor scuffing along the edges, corners, and spine ends (caps), but the binding remains entirely solid, square, and highly presentable on a bookshelf.
• Interior: Complete copy including the table of contents and full introduction. The paper exhibits light, scattered foxing consistent with its age, which does not affect the readability or enjoyment of the artwork. Notable "ghosting/foulage" (imprinted pressure marks from the engravings on the reverse sides) is present on some pages, which is a standard characteristic of 19th-century heavy-press printing.
A beautiful collector's copy for enthusiasts of bibliophilia, French history, and the golden age of caricature art.