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ART NOUVEAU AND ART DECO BOOKBINDING: FRENCH MASTERPIECES 1880-1940.
(New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1989). 292 x 235 mm. (11 1/2 x 9 1/4"). 200 pp.Preface by Priscilla Juvelis.
FINE HONEY BROWN CRUSHED MOROCCO, DRAMATICALLY INLAID, BY HUGO PELLER (stamp signed on rear doublure), covers with large, wavy black tentacles dotted with gilt (three on upper cover, two on lower) emanating from a yellow patch extending across the tail of the spine onto both covers, the tentacles outlined in white, a bright yellow sun-like spot on each cover embraced by two of the tentacles, smooth spine with gilt titling, black morocco doublures tooled with a spray of gilt dots, yellow morocco free endleaves. Original dust jacket bound in. Housed in a matching brown morocco-backed linen clamshell box. Illustrated throughout with many excellent color pictures of bindings (and with a few black and white text illustrations). Title page signed by Priscilla Juvelis. ◆In mint condition.
This is a remarkably useful survey on modern French bindings and binders--a volume that has become an indispensable reference on the subject--offered here in an almost startling binding by one of the outstanding continental binders in the second half of the 20th century. The son of a master bookbinder, Hugo Peller (1917-2003) was a Swiss artisan whose skill as a binder was equalled by his talent for teaching; he is cited by some of the foremost designer bookbinders working today as their most influential instructor. Our binding's inlaid and onlaid leather elements, odd-numbered gilt dots of various sizes, and fillets within an abstracted image are characteristic features of Peller's bookbinding designs. He won prizes in many countries for his work, was elected a member (and served as vice president) of the Meister der Einbandkunst, and was director of the Centro del Bel Libro in Ascona from 1978-83. In the text here, the first major study of a fascinating period in French bookbinding, authors Duncan and De Bartha assess the work of more than 40 of the finest binders during the period under review. Detailed biographies and bibliographies are furnished at the conclusion of the main text. While the present eccentric--even mischievous--binding does not reflect the content of the book in a literal way (cephalopods are not even mentioned by our authors), its bold expressiveness certainly is appropriate for a work that examines revolutionary trends in modern bookbinding. (ST17769b)
Price: $9,500.00