RECUEIL DE DRAPERIES D'HALLAVANT: 4eme Cahier

Paris: Osmont et Dezon n.d. (ca. 1820-1825). Volume 4 of seven stand-alone volumes. Oblong quarto. Title page followed by 48 (of 50) hand-colored engravings. Quarter calf and marbled boards with gilt title on spine. Existing examples of this book do not appear to have a title except for the first cahier, with the following volumes designated only by their number (2eme cahier, 3eme cahier...). A French bookseller list from 1819 shows the title as - Recueil de draperies d'Hallavant, a l'usage des marchands de meubles, tapissiers, decorateurs, mis au jour et augmente par Osmond et Dezon -, with a publication date of 1818. Two versions were available, one in black & white for 18 francs, and one in color for 25 francs. Volumes in the series also lack any dates except for the 7eme cahier, which was issued by Pinsonniere in 1839. The accepted date range of this series is 1810-1839 as based on internal evidence of drapery styles [Cf. Gail Caskey Winkler], and this volume falls into the 1820-1825 date range. Many bibliographic resources cite the first cahier where the name Osmont appears as Osmond (i.e. Berlin: 1278), however in the following volumes the name is correctly presented as Osmont. One of a series of 7 cahiers issued in Paris by Hallavant, Osmont and Pinsonniere between 1810 and 1839 with measured drawings of Empire style draperies for window treatments and beds; many of the bed designs include a plan outlining the proper geometry of the design. This is a widely referenced authentic notebook of designs for practicing designers of the Empire period and is extremely rare. A handful of major institutions in the world own assorted volumes from this series; we were unable to find a copy of the 4th cahier in OCLC. Very good- condition, restoration work done in the past - the front hinge and gutter have been repaired with japan and the title page has also been professionally restored where there was loss. The plates are mostly clean except for the occasional smudge or spot of foxing; several have 3 or 4 pin holes near the upper margins, not affecting the plates.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good.