Etudes de filles.

Paris, Louis-Michaud, (Dec. 10, 1910). With 40 revealing erotic original etchings in 2 states (of which 20 etchings of the first state are signed in pencil), and with 1 original watercolor of a nude, signed by Alméry Lobel-Riche. (2) ff., 124 pp., (2) pp., 10 pp. prospectus. Large 4to (385 x 285 mm). Full reddish tan morocco, front and back sides with inlaid figurative Art Nouveau Decor, in each corner differently in gold and black, gilt fillets, spine in panels with author's name at head and title below in gold, on each innerside doublures in blue decoration, fly-leaves marbled and first one verso with Kieffer's printed label, t.e.g., orig. front wrapper with 1 signed etching in 2 states bound in. Upper cover inside sign. René Kieffer. In matching marbled slipcase. Paris, Louis-Michaud, (Dec. 10, 1910). A fine copy of the de luxe edition of this esteemed book and one of the best works by Alméry Lobel-Riche. Limited to 250 numbered copies this is one of 73 copies on Japan paper, printed by Fernand Schmidt in Porcabeuf's working shop. The book contains an extra set of all etchings with "remarques" that are signed in pencil, and additionally a splendid watercolor of a female nude, also signed by Lobel-Riche. Bound in at the end is a subscription prospectus of 5 leaves containing each a different etching by Lobel-Riche and the justification du tirage printed on verso. Alméry Lobel-Riche (1880-1950) studied at the Beaux-Arts in Montpellier and then at the Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1895. Often compared to Félicien Rops and Louis Legrand for his taste for the representation of the female body. It was in Mauclair's "Etudes de filles" that Lobel-Riche revealed himself as a talented artist, studying in his compositions the shapes of women, their scale and charm, with for some subjects, a particular gift of observation in voluptuousness and vice. Séverin Faust (1872-1945), better known by his pseudonym Camille Mauclar, was a famous French poet and art critic. René Kieffer (1881-1964), was one of the foremost Parisian binders of the early 20th century and student of Lortic and Chambolle-Duru before taking over Joseph Bretault's workshop, whose daughter he had married in 1905. His ambitious works like the present one combined a mastery of classical techniques with a passion for modernity, making him one of the most important practitioners of Art Deco. A magnificent work of this famous French bookbinder. - Carteret IV, 268 ("Très belle publication fort côtée"); Monod 4382; cf. Duncan/Bartha, Art Nouveau & Art Deco Bookbinding (1989). MODERN ILLUSTRATED BOOKS (1900-1999) ; BINDINGS ;