Les Jardins Precieux

1919. CHARMAISON, Raymond. Les Jardins Précieux. Preface by Henri de Régnier. [vi], [8] pp. Illustrated with 8 full-page colour pochoir plates by Charmaison, plus coloured cover illustration and one black and white title illustration. Folio, 490 x 335 mm, bound in original publisher's printed paper folding chemise, preserved in new cloth folding box. Paris: Chez Meynial, 5 November 1919. First Edition. One of 8 copies accompanied by an original watercolour, this "La Treille Rose." A colourful example of Deco luxuriousness, which only pochoir printing under the guidance of Jean Saudé could achieve. One of the premier books of Art Deco illustration. These imaginary "Precious Gardens" are a testament to the power of the printed book as a vehicle for transporting the viewer/reader into the garden and a world of dreams. As Henri Régnier observes in the book's gold-printed preface: "Il contient quelques feuilles avec des lignes et des couleurs, à peine les aurez vous considerées que vous serez transporté dans un pays de lumière et de soleil..." The exquisite coloured plates offer garden views centered on a special garden feature. For example, the cover illustrates an idyllic forest stream; plate 1, "La Salle Verte" shows a Roman garden with pool, bright flowers, and marble columns; plate 2, "Les Flo" captures a yew-covered walk along the seashore; plate 3, "La Jarre" a terracotta pot is the focus of a brightly-flowered Mediterranean garden; plate 4, "L'Allée Rouge" evokes an Oriental garden with iris, red walkway, Japanese bridge and exotic trees; plate 5, "L'Atrium" an interior garden with fountain, potted trees and lounging cushions; plate 6, "Le Berceau" a lush covered berceau with tropical fruit; plate 7, "La Charmille" a verdant gateway into a hortus inclusis; and plate 8, "La Creille Rose" a night-time view of wisteria and roses on a trellis under the stars etc. -- each one rendered in the richest colours of the pochoir technique. Pierre Corrard, novelist and poet, established his publishing house in 1912 and began working with such noted illustrators of the day as Georges Barbier, Charles Martin and A.E. Marty. After his death his wife, Nicole Corrard, resumed his publishing efforts under the name "Collection Pierre Corrard." The luxurious pochoir renderings of fashion designs issued by Corrard conveyed the artistry of French haute couture during this period; the same is true of his stunning plates for Les Jardins Précieux, which provided a fresh expression of the new artistic visions of the "jardin d'artiste." Lacking ribbon tie, else, a very fine copy.