Horace / Aristide Maillol - Odes d'Horace [1/50 de tête avec double suite] - 1939-1939

[RARE EDITION] HORACE - Odes (2 Vols.) - Illustrated by Aristide MAILLOL (1939) - Head-Edition XVI/L with Monogrammed Suites
A quick glance:
A twentieth-century bibliophilic masterpiece, pairing Horace’s ancient poetry with Aristide Maillol’s sculptural and graphic genius, edited by the master printer Philippe Gonin.
This is a deluxe head-issue on large paper, complete in 2 volumes with their original slipcases, enriched by its original woodcut suites, all monogrammed in pencil by the sculptor (AM).
Technical Details:
Author: Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus)
Title: Carmina / Odes of Horace (Vols. I & II)
Translation: Latin text and French verse translation by Baron Delort
Illustrator: Aristide MAILLOL (original wood engravings: illustrations outside the text, headers and tailpieces)
Publisher/Printer: Philippe Gonin, Paris Publication date: 1939 (M.CM.XXXIX)
Format & Collation: 2 volumes in large octavo / quarto
Jacketed in sheets under gilded wrappers, boards and original solander cases.
Printing justification & Special Features (Exceptional Copy):
Head edition numbered on pure hemp paper by the vat: Copy No. XVI / L (13 of 50 copies reserved).
Presence of the original woodcut suites:
Presence of the double suite of Aristide Maillol’s wood engravings (on vat art paper, in black and sanguine tones).
The suite wrappers bear the manuscript era justification and the monogrammed pencil signature of Aristide Maillol (AM circled).
Original handwritten note on the back of the cases:
“With double suite XVI/L.”
Condition:
Leaves & pages: Remarkable freshness.
Chiffon/hemp paper on the vat, very white/ivory, untrimmed edges (with heads intact), absence of foxing.
Engravings: Impeccable proofs, printed with great finesse and fine relief.
Covers & Wrappers: Sturdy and well preserved, light patinas/normal signs of use on the outer cardboard of the cases.
Volume I:
Page count: 179 pages (preceded by 5 leaves of half-title/title and followed by the table of contents/finishing of printing).
Illustrations: 51 wood engravings by Aristide Maillol.
Volume II:
Page count: 278 pages (preceded by 2 to 4 preliminaries and followed by the index leaves).
Illustrations: 67 wood engravings by Aristide Maillol.
Total for the work: 457 pages of text across both volumes, adorned with a complete set of 118 original wood engravings drawn and engraved by Aristide Maillol.
About the work:
This edition of Horace’s Odes is regarded as one of the peaks of interwar French artist’s books. Maillol delivers a work of incomparable antiquity-inspired sobriety and grace, reminiscent of his famous sculpted figures. The paper specially made for editor Philippe Gonin offers an exceptional feel and hold.