Alphabet

1846. DAUMIER, Honore. Alphabet Comique. 24 lithographs (74 x 120 mm.) mounted on strong paper. Small 8vo, contemporary stained vellum. [Paris: n.p., 1836]. BOUND WITH: ANONYMOUS. Anthropomorphic Alphabet. 25 lithographs colored lithographs (60 x 90 mm.) mounted on strong paper. 12mo, contemporary vellum. Paris: Aubert & Junca, [1835]. A sammelband of two extremely rare lithographic alphabets, the first being the legendary alphabet by Daumier which Segolene Le Men calls the most celebrated of French nineteenth century anthropomorphic alphabets. The second alphabet includes 25 lithographs (letters i and j on two separate plates), all brilliantly hand-colored at the time. Its author remains unknown, but: the names of the publishers Aubert and Junca may be seen on the plates of the letters U and Z. It was certainly published at the same time as Daumier's. A fine copy in contemporary vellum with the name "Sudre" painted on the front cover. Delteil, Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre lithographié de Honoré Daumier, 227 bis.- Ségolène Le Men, Les Abécédaires français illustrés du XIXe siècle, p. 160-161.