French Rococo Book Illustration

vi, 115 pages of text and index, and 130 pages of illustrations with 283 black and white illustrations.

Cloth covered boards with title label and details in gilt to spine, and price clipped dustjacket. Dustjacket age-toned, especially to the spine with a few small tears and creases. Text and illustrations, printed on thick paper, clean and unmarked.

Rococo being a style of decoration, French rococo taste in books was exemplified in luxury editions produced primarily during the reign of Louis XV (1710 – 1774). The introductory text seeks to place the French rococo phenomenon in the social and political context of its time; "As graphic technique, it meant nothing less than an Industrialization, and democratization…of visual art." All the illustrations are reproduced in exact size from the originals to ensure the highest quality.

With an ALS from the author, on British Museum headed notepaper, dated 21 February 1970, with details as to where to find certain of the book illustrations in the British Museum and declining a proposal to contribute to another publication.

This is a heavy / high value volume and, as consequence, the shipping cost will be higher than the average quoted in my store listings.