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Browse a selection of our current offerings on Gardens, Architecture, Design, Decorative Arts and similar subjects.

  • (Art Deco Garden Fantasy)
    ORIGINAL DRAWING. by Bonfils, Robert.
    Bonfils, Robert.
    ORIGINAL DRAWING.

    n.p: n.d. (ca. 1925). An original drawing in colour showing a garden fantasy by the art deco illustrator and designer Robert Bonfils presented by him to Roger Grillon. A sudden shower (with a rainbow) sends two couples dashing in front of a large arched hedge at the garden entrance to a palace. With its large topiary, pergola, fountains, etc., the scene combines the classical elements of French garden architecture with the streamlined vision of nature associated with Art Deco and with illustration styles of the early 20th century. Bonfils’ own colour woodblock poster for the 1925 Paris International Exposition did much for establishing the Art Deco style. A Garden Watercolour Single sheet 35.2 x 36 cm.; drawing is 32.5 x 33.3 cm.

    Watercolor, gouache and ink on paper; some foxing visible in small areas; signed presentation inscription on lower right corner beneath drawing.

    ID#: 16606
    View cart More details Price: £500.00
  • (Parks - Pittsburgh)
    (BIGGER, Frederick).
    PARKS. A PART OF THE PITTSBURGH PLAN.

    (Pittsburgh:) Citizens Committee On City Plan Of Pittsburgh, 1923. An illustrated survey of the Pittsburgh park system, along with recommendations for improvements, prepared by Frederick Bigger. In addition to the suggestions for individual city parks there is a concluding section with proposals for boulevards and parkways along the downtown water front, Saw Mill Run valley and Nine Mile Run valley. 4to (28 x 21.8 cm); 76 pp. illustrated with photographs and plans + 3 folding plates.

    In original printed paper wraps, well preserved.

    ID#: 16607
    View cart More details Price: £100.00
  • (TRADE CATALOGUE- Ironwork for Tombs)
    TRAVAUX D'ART FER ET BRONZE by RENAUX-LEFEVRE.
    RENAUX-LEFEVRE.
    TRAVAUX D'ART FER ET BRONZE Specialté d’Entourages Porte-Couronnes & Portes pour Tombeaux....Grilles de Choeur/ Vases pour Fleurs...

    Paris: Renaux-Lefevre, n.d. ( ca. A very well preserved trade catalogue showing full page illustrations, on rectos only, of 29 decorative iron surrounds, including several covered and one chapel for tombs; 12 chapel door panels, 19 corbeilles and coupes for cemetery settings - these last, more than one to a page. The whole is lithographed in blue. Most of the tomb surrounds are shown with suggestions of grassy or park-like settings. We have not yet found any copies in OCLC, COPAC, EUROPEAN LIBRARY or CCFR. Tombstone Ironwork “24mo”,18.2 x 13.2 cm; title page + 29 lithographed plates printed on versos + (ii) 3 lithographed plates of 19 printed on versos + (ii) +12 lithographed plates on rectos only. The numbers on the plates refer to product numbers, not to plate numbers.

    Original printed paper covers with designs on upper and lower covers; a bit or shelf wear and light soiling at bottom edges, on plate with moderate foxing, but otherwise very well preserved.

    ID#: 16521
    View cart More details Price: £225.00
  • (Trade Card - Horticulturist)
    COLOR LITHOGRAPHED TRADE CARD: by (REMI MEYER & CO.)
    (REMI MEYER & CO.)
    COLOR LITHOGRAPHED TRADE CARD: ÉTABLISSEMENT HORTICOLE REMI MEYER & CO.

    Gand: ca. 1840, 1850. This "porcelain" trade card for the horticultural establishment of Remi Mayer is printed in blue, maroon and gold with four vignettes, each framed, surrounding the proprietor's name. Within the four vignettes are views of the nursery, itself, with its cold frames and planted beds, and views of garden settings, an approach to a house, a view across a pond to a gate and another view across a ringed pond. The lithography is by F. & F. Gyselynch at Gand. Single sheet of glossy card stock, 11 x 16 cm, printed in colors.

    Card stock mounted on conservation stock and matted with exterior measurements of mat at 30.5 x 33 cm.

    ID#: 15591
    View cart More details Price: £163.00
  • (Menars)
    UN BEAU JOUR A MENARS. by FRANÇAIS, Anne.
    FRANÇAIS, Anne.
    UN BEAU JOUR A MENARS.

    Paris: Librarie Hachette, 1964. One of 150 copies on Velin de Rives, “Imprimé spécialement pour/ MONSIEUR ANDRE MALRAUX/Ministere D’État / Chargé Des Affaires Culturelles” signed and inscribed by the author, “Hommage de l’auteur”. Menars, located on the Loire, began in the 17th century as a classical French garden and chateau. For a brief period (1760-1764), it served as the residence residence of Madame de Pompadour, who added her personal touch to the chateau with the help of architect, Jacques-Ange Gabriel. Following her death, her brother, the marquis de Marigny, engaged Jacques-Gabriel Soufflot to further develop the site. The exuberant drawings of Anne Français fill this colorful book with impressions of visits to Menars in winter and in spring. While…

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    Paris: Librarie Hachette, 1964. One of 150 copies on Velin de Rives, “Imprimé spécialement pour/ MONSIEUR ANDRE MALRAUX/Ministere D’État / Chargé Des Affaires Culturelles” signed and inscribed by the author, “Hommage de l’auteur”. Menars, located on the Loire, began in the 17th century as a classical French garden and chateau. For a brief period (1760-1764), it served as the residence residence of Madame de Pompadour, who added her personal touch to the chateau with the help of architect, Jacques-Ange Gabriel. Following her death, her brother, the marquis de Marigny, engaged Jacques-Gabriel Soufflot to further develop the site. The exuberant drawings of Anne Français fill this colorful book with impressions of visits to Menars in winter and in spring. While leading the reader through the interior and exterior spaces, she often succeeds in demonstrating their interrelationship. Accompanying text offers an overview of the history of Menars. A very charming book, printed by Mourlot and entirely designed by Français, known for inventing the concept of “ionnisme” in painting. With drawings, watercolors, text and mise en page executed entirely by the author/artist and produced in black and white and color lithograph at Mourlot, Paris. Copy printed for Andre Malraux 8vo (25.5 x 18 cm); (ii) + (xiv) + 17-66 + (10) pp. with text illustrations on every page printed in color and black and white; author’s signed presentation on the limitation page.

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    Original color printed illustrated wrappers; original stiff paper covers with upper cover printed in black with coat of arms and title; extremely light shelf-wear, but a near fine copy.

    ID#: 16546
    View cart More details Price: £200.00
  • (MASEFIELD, John)
    Original photograph. " THE POET LAUREATE AS GARDENER."

    (London: Fox Photos, 1932). "Mr. John Masefield, the Poet Laureate, is a keen gardener, and is here seen plucking some fine lupins in his garden at Boars Hill, Oxford." Thus reads the caption typed on tissue paper and attached to the back of this photograph supplied by Fox Photos and probably intended as human interest content for contemporary newspapers. The mustached and white haired Masefield is shown in wool jacket and cravat grasping one of a cluster of lupins. 25.5 x 20.3 cm or 10 x 8 inches.

    Minor smudging to corners of photo.

    ID#: 13898
    View cart More details Price: £35.00
  • (Le Corbusier)
    LES VILLAS DE LE CORBUSIER ET PIERRE JEANNERET DAN LA RÉGION PARISIENNE de 1920 À 1940. by RAGOT, Gilles.
    RAGOT, Gilles.
    LES VILLAS DE LE CORBUSIER ET PIERRE JEANNERET DAN LA RÉGION PARISIENNE de 1920 À 1940.

    Paris: Université De Paris IV Sorbonne, n.d.. ( 1982). A most uncommon master’s thesis or “Memoire De Maitrise”, U.E.R. D’Historie de L’Art et D’Archéologie. The directeur de mémoire was M. le Professeur Bernard Dorival.Gilles Ragot went on to become an art historian, specialist in 20th century architecture, and author and/or co-author of several authoritative books on Le Corbusier. His 2 part, 3 volume thesis covers 21 villas designed by Le Corbusier in the region and includes a a plans of the situations of the villas in the Parisian and Boulogne su Seine regions and extensive analysis of architectural features. The work is heavily illustrated with reproductions of photographs and plans. Master’s Thesis on Le Corbusier et Pierre Jeanneret by…

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    Paris: Université De Paris IV Sorbonne, n.d.. ( 1982). A most uncommon master’s thesis or “Memoire De Maitrise”, U.E.R. D’Historie de L’Art et D’Archéologie. The directeur de mémoire was M. le Professeur Bernard Dorival.Gilles Ragot went on to become an art historian, specialist in 20th century architecture, and author and/or co-author of several authoritative books on Le Corbusier. His 2 part, 3 volume thesis covers 21 villas designed by Le Corbusier in the region and includes a a plans of the situations of the villas in the Parisian and Boulogne su Seine regions and extensive analysis of architectural features. The work is heavily illustrated with reproductions of photographs and plans. Master’s Thesis on Le Corbusier et Pierre Jeanneret by a future authority. 3 volumes, 29.2 x 21 cm; 205 ff; with plans and photographs reproduced.l

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    Original printed paper covers; A very good set under clear protective wraps.

    ID#: 16549
    View cart More details Price: £400.00
  • (Juvenile, Civic Art - Paris)
    GALERIE GÉOGRAPHIQUE HISTORIQUE ET INTÉRESSANTE DES QUATRE PARTIES DU MONDE.. by N(ougaret)., P(ierre).J(ean).B(aptiste).
    N(ougaret)., P(ierre).J(ean).B(aptiste).
    GALERIE GÉOGRAPHIQUE HISTORIQUE ET INTÉRESSANTE DES QUATRE PARTIES DU MONDE.. Contenant Tout ce qu'il y a de plus remarquable Sur les Moeurs et les usages des peuples...

    Paris: Le Fuel/ Delaunay, n.d., ca. 1813. This carefully preserved juvenile geography book centers, in particular, on the city of Paris and the world that emanates from there. Thus, its four maps show, successively: the world; Europe; the French Empire and Kingdom of Italy; and metropolitan Paris. Within the text, special attention and detail is given to the descriptions of Parisian streets, bridges, street names, historic buildings and churches, and the private residences of its famous persons. For the young reader, the history and texture of Paris is placed at the center of the world. There are, of course, small sections on Spain; Portugal; Italy; Venise; Switzerland; Germany; Bavaria; Prussia;Bohemia and Moravia;Denmark; Norway; Sweden; Russian; Asia; Persia; China; Egypt;…

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    Paris: Le Fuel/ Delaunay, n.d., ca. 1813. This carefully preserved juvenile geography book centers, in particular, on the city of Paris and the world that emanates from there. Thus, its four maps show, successively: the world; Europe; the French Empire and Kingdom of Italy; and metropolitan Paris. Within the text, special attention and detail is given to the descriptions of Parisian streets, bridges, street names, historic buildings and churches, and the private residences of its famous persons. For the young reader, the history and texture of Paris is placed at the center of the world. There are, of course, small sections on Spain; Portugal; Italy; Venise; Switzerland; Germany; Bavaria; Prussia;Bohemia and Moravia;Denmark; Norway; Sweden; Russian; Asia; Persia; China; Egypt; Africa; and the Artic and Antartic regions, along with many others. The engraved frontispiece shows a young boy receiving gifts and honors from the figure of L'Étude (Study). This appears to be the first and only edition; in OCLC we find only one copy at the New York Public Library. Geography for Children 32mo (10.5 x 7 cm); (vi) + engraved frontispiece + 204 pp. + 3 double-page + 1 triple page maps with outline coloring + 1 double page alphabetical table.

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    Original pink paper-covered boards, a.e.g.; the faintest occasional foxing; in original matching pink paper covered slip-case, very faintly hand- soiled. A lovely copy.

    ID#: 16139
    View cart More details Price: £400.00
  • (Greenhouses)
    (VAN DE CAPPELLE-DE PRETTER)
    COLOR LITHOGRAPHED TRADE CARD: Frs. Van De Cappelle-DePretter.

    Gand: ca. 1840, 1850. A "porcelain" trade card for the greenhouse builders Van De Cappell-De Pretter, rue de la Caverne, No. 50, Gand. The printing in gold and blue is by the Gand lithographers, G. Jacqmain. The card is illustrated with a view of a greenhouse in a gardenesque setting with fountain, house and two small human figures, all printed within a decorative Gothic-style frame. A lengthy caption informs the viewer that examples of the firm's "confection de serres en Fer" can be seen at the Verschaffelt nursery, at Van Houte's outside of Bruxelles, and in Paris at "MM les Barons Rotschild." Cartes porcelaines or "porcelain cards" were produced in the mid-nineteenth century lithography with a thin layer of…

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    Gand: ca. 1840, 1850. A "porcelain" trade card for the greenhouse builders Van De Cappell-De Pretter, rue de la Caverne, No. 50, Gand. The printing in gold and blue is by the Gand lithographers, G. Jacqmain. The card is illustrated with a view of a greenhouse in a gardenesque setting with fountain, house and two small human figures, all printed within a decorative Gothic-style frame. A lengthy caption informs the viewer that examples of the firm's "confection de serres en Fer" can be seen at the Verschaffelt nursery, at Van Houte's outside of Bruxelles, and in Paris at "MM les Barons Rotschild." Cartes porcelaines or "porcelain cards" were produced in the mid-nineteenth century lithography with a thin layer of white lead producing their beautiful porcelain-like effect. They were chiefly produced in Belgium between the late 1830s and the early 1860s and used as business or announcement cards. Their production was discontinued because of health hazards connected with the lead. Single sheet of glossy card stock, 10.5 x 14.2 cm., printed in colors.

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    A few minor scratches at extremities, but a well preserved example, mounted on conservation stock and matted, measuring 30.1 x 33 cm. at exterior of mat.

    ID#: 15590
    View cart More details Price: £187.00
  • (Games, Flower)
    (Anonymous)
    JEU INSTRUCTIF DES FLEURS.

    (Paris: chez Basset, rue St. Jacques, no. 64, ca, 1815). "Les Jeux d'Oie" have long been a venerable form of family entertainment, education and even propaganda. This particular version, the jeu instructif des fleurs, is pretty enough to be viewed as a game for young ladies (which it probably was), but John Grand-Carteret's LES JEUX D'OIE(http://www.giochidelloca.it/dettaglio_storia.php?id=41) lists it with the "Jeu d'actualites politiques." He notes that the winning position is the crowned Lis blanc, the symbol of virtue and, of course, "Gloire Aux Lis", a sentiment in favor during the French Restoration. But there is also botanical instruction here. Along the promenade or route of the game are 63 numbered "cases" or squares, each with a handsomely engraved flower…

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    (Paris: chez Basset, rue St. Jacques, no. 64, ca, 1815). "Les Jeux d'Oie" have long been a venerable form of family entertainment, education and even propaganda. This particular version, the jeu instructif des fleurs, is pretty enough to be viewed as a game for young ladies (which it probably was), but John Grand-Carteret's LES JEUX D'OIE(http://www.giochidelloca.it/dettaglio_storia.php?id=41) lists it with the "Jeu d'actualites politiques." He notes that the winning position is the crowned Lis blanc, the symbol of virtue and, of course, "Gloire Aux Lis", a sentiment in favor during the French Restoration. But there is also botanical instruction here. Along the promenade or route of the game are 63 numbered "cases" or squares, each with a handsomely engraved flower portrait, many accompanied by captions citing the flower's emblematic meaning, or one of its physical properties. Thus: marigold, "emblème de la douleur"; jasmine, "originaire de la Province"; myrtle, "dédié a Venus par les anciens"; and finally, embowered and marked with sun's rays, the lily. The rules for traversing the promenade and reaching the lily are printed in the center of the text. For example, whoever arrives at no. 42, the violet, "a flower lost in the woods," must return to no. 30, lily of the valley, and pay a sum agreed on at the outset of the game. The shape of the course or promenade is oval, thus leaving space at the corners of the sheet for charming little views of the Jardin des Tuileries seen from the terraces of the chateau, the Jardin du Luxembourg seen from the water bassins, the Jardin du Roi seen from the river bank, and a view of the labyrinth of the Jardin du Roi. Though not found in the usual library catalogues, we do find reference to a copy in the Collection of Baron de Vinck at the Bibliothèque Nationale. "Gloire aux Lis" Single sheet, 45.5 x 61 cm., engraved overall, with text in center.

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    Engraved sheet unevenly folded with a few minor tears along folds; one corner torn and mended, with some rust spots, not affecting image.

    ID#: 16115
    View cart More details Price: £1,000.00
  • (Color Plates)
    HISTORIE NATURELLE POUR LA JEUNESSE, by Berquin
    Berquin
    HISTORIE NATURELLE POUR LA JEUNESSE, Contenant L’Histoire Abrégée De Animaux:

    Paris: Librairie Pittoresque De La Jeunesse, 1851. With a biographical notice on Arnaud Berquin by J.C. Demerville. This is a beautifully preserved copy of this updated 19th century edition of Berquin’s INTRODUCTION FAMILIÈRE À LA SCIENCE DE LA NATURE written over a half century earlier. “Despite the popularity of the work of Mme Le Prince de Beaumont, Mme d’Epinay and Mme de Genlis, it is Arnaud Berquin(1747-1791) who is most often credited with being the real pioneer of children’s literature in France.” (Brown, P.E. A CRITICAL HISTORY OF FRENCH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. Vol.One: 1600-1830, P. 147. 8vo (23.5 x 15 cm); xvi + (i) +221 pp. with 150 wood-engraved text illustrations + 12 colored lithographic plates.

    Original decoratively gilt cloth over boards; original endpapers; a red pen notation on flyleaf, a.e.g. Near fine.

    ID#: 16528
    View cart More details Price: £190.00
  • (Cactus)
    (Angel & fils)
    CACTÉES... Quelques Conseils d'Angel & Fils (cover title).

    Paris: n.d. (ca, 1950). An imaginative and charming advertising booklet promoting cactus collecting and cultivation with drawings printed in colors and hand-lettered text printed in brown ink. The text provides directions for replanting, for creating little "Japanese" gardens in tray arrangements, and for handling slips or cuttings and for sowing seeds. Prices are given for various sizes of cactus, for vases and pots, and for Japanese ornaments used in the tray gardens. Oblong 12mo (22.2 x 18.2 cm); 12 pp., including covers, printed and illustrated in colors.

    Original self wraps; a well preserved copy of a fragile item. With printed florist's card laid in listing the 8 commandments of the "cacteophile."

    ID#: 12725
    View cart More details Price: £75.00
  • (Trade Catalogue - Greenhouses & Conservatories)
    SERRES ET CHAUFFAGES. by GUILLOT - PELLETIER FILS & Cie.
    GUILLOT - PELLETIER FILS & Cie.
    SERRES ET CHAUFFAGES.

    Orléans: Guillot-Pelletier Fils, n.d. ca. 1906. An informative Art Nouveau period trade catalogue with 20 plates of winter gardens, palm houses, orangeries, and a variety of greenhouses, with illustrations presenting the various styles in their completed settings. Of additional interest are the 84 pages of text offering the names of clients in different parts of France, the particular construction elements provided to them, and a lengthy list of the architects who had worked with them. The time period covered runs from 1880 to 1906.  In OCLC we find only one similar copy, in the Netherlands, of an earlier 1903 edition with fewer pages. Jardins d’hivers, Orangeries, Greenhouses Oblong 8vo (21.1 x 27 cm); (iv) + 20 photomechanical plates from…

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    Orléans: Guillot-Pelletier Fils, n.d. ca. 1906. An informative Art Nouveau period trade catalogue with 20 plates of winter gardens, palm houses, orangeries, and a variety of greenhouses, with illustrations presenting the various styles in their completed settings. Of additional interest are the 84 pages of text offering the names of clients in different parts of France, the particular construction elements provided to them, and a lengthy list of the architects who had worked with them. The time period covered runs from 1880 to 1906.  In OCLC we find only one similar copy, in the Netherlands, of an earlier 1903 edition with fewer pages. Jardins d’hivers, Orangeries, Greenhouses Oblong 8vo (21.1 x 27 cm); (iv) + 20 photomechanical plates from photographs and sketches on rectos only + 84 pp. text. with a single sheet illustrated information flyer folded in three laid in.

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    Original printed paper covers, portions of spine paper split or chipped; final page has a fold at bottom margin, without loss, rubber stamp of the firm’s Paris bureau address appears intermittently without interfering with text; still very good internally.

    ID#: 16497
    View cart More details Price: £375.00
  • ( Flower Painting and FlowerLore )
    COURONNE DE FLORE by DESBORDES-VALMORE (Marcelline), Amable TASTU, LA COMTESSE DE BRADI et Jules BAGET.
    DESBORDES-VALMORE (Marcelline), Amable TASTU, LA COMTESSE DE BRADI et Jules BAGET.
    COURONNE DE FLORE Mélanges De Poésie Et De Prose.

    Paris: Louis Janet, n.d. ( ca. 1837). A beautifully hand-colored edition of a very scarce book - this version rare, indeed.   This “gift book” was offered by its publisher to accompany a rare series of coloured lithographs entitled LA NAISSANCE DES FLEURS. It comprises brief essays and poetry on individual flowers by early nineteenth century French women writers  - and Jules Baget and Mrs. Hemans -  and is embellished with four exquisitely hand watercoloured lithographed plates from drawings by Pierre Joseph Redouté, Lucy de Beaurepaire, Olympe Arson and Jules Dumas. A. Roulliet was the lithographer.  The selection opens with Jules Baget’s poem entitled “La Naissance Des Fleurs” in which he praises artists, Redouté in particular, for their ability…

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    Paris: Louis Janet, n.d. ( ca. 1837). A beautifully hand-colored edition of a very scarce book - this version rare, indeed.   This “gift book” was offered by its publisher to accompany a rare series of coloured lithographs entitled LA NAISSANCE DES FLEURS. It comprises brief essays and poetry on individual flowers by early nineteenth century French women writers  - and Jules Baget and Mrs. Hemans -  and is embellished with four exquisitely hand watercoloured lithographed plates from drawings by Pierre Joseph Redouté, Lucy de Beaurepaire, Olympe Arson and Jules Dumas. A. Roulliet was the lithographer.  The selection opens with Jules Baget’s poem entitled “La Naissance Des Fleurs” in which he praises artists, Redouté in particular, for their ability to preserve the fleeting beauty of flowers by their art. Madame La Comtesse de Brade writes on the history and lore of the tulip, the violet, the apple and the lily, while other contributors offer poems to individual flowers. Each water-coloured lithographed plate marks a season represented by a flower or flower bouquet surrounded by a decoratively printed hand- coloured border. The lettering of the title page is also hand-coloured.  In 1837, Fleury Chavant published LA COURRONE DE FLORE (Vicaire p. 1044) which resembles this title in every respect but for the publisher, and the title page. Fleury Chavant’s ads for lithographic work, noting this title, are included at the end of the text. In the Fleury Chavant imprint, the title page informs the reader that the book is designed to accompany LA NAISSANCE DES FLEURS, a series of 50 sheets imprinted with designs of flower drawings and poetry, but this is an elusive piece noted only as “original art “ in Bnf. As Louis Janet was famous for his production of gift books, we surmise this was an initial effort to produce one from the Fleury Chavant plates lithographed in blue. The plain silk-paper over boards binding here could possibly have been prepared for a decorative slipcover or box. We have located no copies with the Janet imprint in OCLC, COPAC, the European Catalogue or CCFr.  18 mo (16.4 x 10.5 cm);143 pp with hand-coloring on half title and title page;7 pp. ads included, all text printed in blue ink, with blue printed borders +4 hand-colored full page lithographed illustrations with tissue guards.

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    Original cream silk-covered paper over boards, without impression, with very small tear at spine head mended, light hand-soiling a.e.g; moire patterned endpapers; light to moderate foxing throughout, but plates unblemished.

    ID#: 16510
    View cart More details Price: £400.00
  • (Flower Lore and Flower Painting)l
    LA COURONNE DE FLORE, by DESBORDES-VALMORE, (Marcellline), Amable TASTU, LA COMTESSE DE BRADI et Jules BAGET.
    DESBORDES-VALMORE, (Marcellline), Amable TASTU, LA COMTESSE DE BRADI et Jules BAGET.
    LA COURONNE DE FLORE, Ou Mélange de Poésie et de Prose,

    Paris: Fleury Chavant, 1837. First edition. “Ce recueil est destiné à accompagner  La Naissance des Fleurs, ouvrage lithographique composé de 300 groupes de fleurs, par MM. Redouté, Baget, Dumas, etc.”.  Chavant’s NAISSANCE DES FLEURS  was a series of 50 individual “feuilles” issued by the editor Chavant with plates available separately for 1fr.50. (Chavant’s ads appear at the back of this text). This small book gathers together some of the  themes of the poets and prose writers who contributed to the NAISSANCE, with, in addition, 4 drawings lithographed by A. Rouillet from the work of J. P. Redouté, Olympe Arson, Jules Dumas and Lucy de Beaurepaire. Essays on the history and lore of individual flowers accompany poems on different flowers…

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    Paris: Fleury Chavant, 1837. First edition. “Ce recueil est destiné à accompagner  La Naissance des Fleurs, ouvrage lithographique composé de 300 groupes de fleurs, par MM. Redouté, Baget, Dumas, etc.”.  Chavant’s NAISSANCE DES FLEURS  was a series of 50 individual “feuilles” issued by the editor Chavant with plates available separately for 1fr.50. (Chavant’s ads appear at the back of this text). This small book gathers together some of the  themes of the poets and prose writers who contributed to the NAISSANCE, with, in addition, 4 drawings lithographed by A. Rouillet from the work of J. P. Redouté, Olympe Arson, Jules Dumas and Lucy de Beaurepaire. Essays on the history and lore of individual flowers accompany poems on different flowers by contemporary authors. This is the “broché” issue, again, as described in the ads at the back. VICAIRE  Vol II, p. 1044. Scarce; we find three copies in OCLC, only one of which in the U.S. at Harvard/Houghton.  12mo (18 x 11.5 cm); 143 pp. with ads + 4 lithographed plates.

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    Original paper covers, delicate slit to paper about 5cm. along spine, very light wear to heel of spine, previous owner’s penned signature at upper left cover; heavy foxing to text printed in blue with blue printed border; plates relatively clean.

    ID#: 16515
    View cart More details Price: £90.00
  • (Art Brut)
    LE JARDIN DES SURPRISES DU TRANSCENDANT SATRAPE CAMILLE RENAULT (cover title). by Sigoda, Pascal.
    Sigoda, Pascal.
    LE JARDIN DES SURPRISES DU TRANSCENDANT SATRAPE CAMILLE RENAULT (cover title).

    N.P: Cymbalum Pataphysicum, 1985. Limited edition of 666 copies, this example #24 of 299 numbered copies bound in papier gris-ardoise. There are few vestiges left of Le Jardin des Surpises built in Attigny by the eccentric and multi-talented sculptor Renault. It was destroyed after the war and he rebuilt it some 300 meters away from the original site by re-cycling much of the sculpture. After his death, vandals destroyed most of what was left. This work is a catalogue of an “exhibition” devoted to the garden and Renault. Some biographical detail is provided and Renault’s work as an autodictact is mentioned in the context of “les inspirés,” such as le Facteur Cheval and Isidore or “Picassiette.” Given Renault’s work…

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    N.P: Cymbalum Pataphysicum, 1985. Limited edition of 666 copies, this example #24 of 299 numbered copies bound in papier gris-ardoise. There are few vestiges left of Le Jardin des Surpises built in Attigny by the eccentric and multi-talented sculptor Renault. It was destroyed after the war and he rebuilt it some 300 meters away from the original site by re-cycling much of the sculpture. After his death, vandals destroyed most of what was left. This work is a catalogue of an “exhibition” devoted to the garden and Renault. Some biographical detail is provided and Renault’s work as an autodictact is mentioned in the context of “les inspirés,” such as le Facteur Cheval and Isidore or “Picassiette.” Given Renault’s work as a patissier  and cuisinier, an influence which showed in the sculptures of his gardens, connections with the work of Carême are also made. The photographic reproductions show the interiors of Renault’s Hotel des Deux Gares and of the Musée de la Guerre at Attigny. Photos of the garden include a view of the exterior of his second self-made house and a picture of Renault himself in the midst of his sculpture garden of animals, farm workers, etc. Shortly before his death he became a member of the Collège de Pataphysique, attaining the status of satrape shared by others such as Jean Dubuffet, Joan Miró, and Jacques Prévert. Uncommon.   A Pataphysicist’s Garden Bound printed typescript, 34 pp. printed on rectos only; 29.5 x 2lcm; 10 full page and 5 half page illustrations from photographs.

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    Original wrappers with title and decorative device in red on upper cover; printed portrait of Renault in red on lower cover; insignificant spots and some bumping and a mended nick at spine heel and bottom edge on lower cover. A very good copy.

    ID#: 16501
    View cart More details Price: £100.00
  • AN ALBUM OF SEED PACKET LABEL ILLUSTRATIONS. by SIMON LOUIS FRÈRES & Cie./ Grainiers.
    SIMON LOUIS FRÈRES & Cie./ Grainiers.
    AN ALBUM OF SEED PACKET LABEL ILLUSTRATIONS.

    N.P. (Bruyères -Le-Chatel): (Simon Louis Frères & Cie.), ca. 1930. An imressive presentation album of sample seed packet labels with all the plants shown printed in full color against a black background. These are displayed, usually 6 to a page, on tan card stock printed decoratively in light gray with the monogram of the firm and simple frame outlines for the placement of the illustrations. Both vegetables and flowers are shown; the colors are vibrant and the detail, particularly with the vegetables, is both informative and artistic. All designs are labeled. If you want to be able to recognize all your French lettuces, you have only to study these. Unusual and very uncommon. Learn your Lettuces Oblong album (26.5…

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    N.P. (Bruyères -Le-Chatel): (Simon Louis Frères & Cie.), ca. 1930. An imressive presentation album of sample seed packet labels with all the plants shown printed in full color against a black background. These are displayed, usually 6 to a page, on tan card stock printed decoratively in light gray with the monogram of the firm and simple frame outlines for the placement of the illustrations. Both vegetables and flowers are shown; the colors are vibrant and the detail, particularly with the vegetables, is both informative and artistic. All designs are labeled. If you want to be able to recognize all your French lettuces, you have only to study these. Unusual and very uncommon. Learn your Lettuces Oblong album (26.5 x 36 cm); with color printed seed packet label designs tipped in to each of 70 unnumbered pages, usually 6 to a page, fewer on about 4 pages; in all, there are approximately 400 color printed labels, each measuring 9 x 5 cm.

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    Original stiff paper covers, upper cover printed in brown and gold with the firm’s title, location and monogram; stabbed and tied with original cord; rear cover soiled, corners dog-earred and edges a bit nicked; adhesion blemishes on 4 or 5 samples, else fine.

    ID#: 16451
    View cart More details Price: £550.00
  • THE LANDSCAPE, A DIDACTIC POEM. by KNIGHT, R(ichard) P(ayne).
    KNIGHT, R(ichard) P(ayne).
    THE LANDSCAPE, A DIDACTIC POEM. In Three Books. Addressed To Uvedale Price, Esq.

    London: W. Bulmer and Co, 1794. omamin Pouncy iFirst edition of this important manifesto marking the outbreak of the "picturesque controversy" that continued to dnate landscape gardening theory and practice at the outset of the nineteenth century. Knight attacked the Brown/Repton school in favor of the rough and irregular style also advanced by Price in his theories of the picturesque, that is, gardens which imitate the wild natural scenery in the paintings of Claude and Salvatore Rosa. His lengthy poem provides practical advice for obtaining these results and includes two folding etchings by Benjfrom drawings by Thomas Hearne which illustrate a rural estate laid out in the contrasting styles.THE LANDSCAPE, A DIDACTIC POEM. “No decoration should we introduce, That…

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    London: W. Bulmer and Co, 1794. omamin Pouncy iFirst edition of this important manifesto marking the outbreak of the "picturesque controversy" that continued to dnate landscape gardening theory and practice at the outset of the nineteenth century. Knight attacked the Brown/Repton school in favor of the rough and irregular style also advanced by Price in his theories of the picturesque, that is, gardens which imitate the wild natural scenery in the paintings of Claude and Salvatore Rosa. His lengthy poem provides practical advice for obtaining these results and includes two folding etchings by Benjfrom drawings by Thomas Hearne which illustrate a rural estate laid out in the contrasting styles.THE LANDSCAPE, A DIDACTIC POEM. “No decoration should we introduce, That has not first been nat’raliz’d by use” Henrey 900. 4to (28.5 cm. x 22 cm.); (iv) + 77 pp. + 3 plates (2 folding).

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    Contemporary green calf spine, gilt ruled and ornamented spine compartments; gilt lettered red leather title piece; marbled boards; head of spine worn with slight separation along a half inch of the back edge, extremities rubbed; very little foxing; a very good copy; with the bookplate of Geo. Armytage.

    ID#: 16435
    View cart More details Price: £700.00
  • LE JARDIN DE L'ANTERIEUR. by LASSUS, Bernard.
    LASSUS, Bernard.
    LE JARDIN DE L'ANTERIEUR.

    n.p: Bernard Lassus, 1975. One of 300 copies hand-printed by Kerversau imprimeur. LE JARDIN DE L’ANTERIEUR was Lassus's entry in a competition to design a garden for the new town of L'Isle d'Abeau. His plan won the competition but the project was never realised. LE JARDIN DE L'ANTERIEUR counts among Lassus's earliest published garden projects and both its text and its drawings demonstrate what the OXFORD COMPANION TO GARDENS (p. 205) calls his "approach to landscape which rejects empiricism in favour of exploring the non-measurable realm of the imagination." Stephen Bann says of his projects: "It seems to me beyond question that Lassus's highly inventive descriptions of garden projects function as utopian texts: Arcadia is conjured up, as it…

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    n.p: Bernard Lassus, 1975. One of 300 copies hand-printed by Kerversau imprimeur. LE JARDIN DE L’ANTERIEUR was Lassus's entry in a competition to design a garden for the new town of L'Isle d'Abeau. His plan won the competition but the project was never realised. LE JARDIN DE L'ANTERIEUR counts among Lassus's earliest published garden projects and both its text and its drawings demonstrate what the OXFORD COMPANION TO GARDENS (p. 205) calls his "approach to landscape which rejects empiricism in favour of exploring the non-measurable realm of the imagination." Stephen Bann says of his projects: "It seems to me beyond question that Lassus's highly inventive descriptions of garden projects function as utopian texts: Arcadia is conjured up, as it were, in the interstices of the design, and the charming line drawings that he provides are the exact graphic correlate to this state of potentiality." ("Arcadia as utopia in contemporary landscape design: the work of Bernard Lassus”, HISTORY OF HUMAN SCIENCES Vol. 16 No. 1 p. 117). Accompanying the Lassus text is an essay on the garden by Michel Conan. “garden projects..as utopian texts” Folio (55 x 36 cm); loose, as issued, in heavy paper folder; 16 unnumbered pages printed on papier d'Arches with 4 text illustrations + 3 plates from drawings (impressions measuring 21 x 28.5; 29 x 20; and 20.5 x 22.5 cm., respectively), 2 illustrating the garden and 1 showing its site.

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    In leather-backed custom portfolio; just about a fine copy with only the faintest hint of occasional foxing commencing.

    ID#: 16433
    View cart More details Price: £1,600.00
  • (Chantilly)
    LE BOUQUET DE CHANTILLY. by Ganay, Ernest de.
    Ganay, Ernest de.
    LE BOUQUET DE CHANTILLY.

    Paris: Librairie Jean Naert, 1925. First edition; No. 1 of 6 copies printed on Japan paper at the press of Jacques et Demontrond in Besançon. With a signed ink presentation inscription to le comte (René Philipon ) on the free endpaper and a posted note from de Ganay to Philipon laid in. An essay in praise of the beauties of garden, landscape and architecture at Chantilly and the interventions there of great designers, gardeners and architects by France’s distinquished bibliographer of French garden literature. Ganay 1925/9 “Bibliographie Des Travaux D’Ernest De Ganay” in Mosser & Sartre, BIBLIOTHèQUE ET JARDIN. ERNEST De GANAY. In OCLC we locate only the British Library copy. “C’est que Chantilly réunit tous les agréments.” 8vo…

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    Paris: Librairie Jean Naert, 1925. First edition; No. 1 of 6 copies printed on Japan paper at the press of Jacques et Demontrond in Besançon. With a signed ink presentation inscription to le comte (René Philipon ) on the free endpaper and a posted note from de Ganay to Philipon laid in. An essay in praise of the beauties of garden, landscape and architecture at Chantilly and the interventions there of great designers, gardeners and architects by France’s distinquished bibliographer of French garden literature. Ganay 1925/9 “Bibliographie Des Travaux D’Ernest De Ganay” in Mosser & Sartre, BIBLIOTHèQUE ET JARDIN. ERNEST De GANAY. In OCLC we locate only the British Library copy. “C’est que Chantilly réunit tous les agréments.” 8vo (23 x 14.6 cm) 32 + (iv) pp. with printer’s ornaments.

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    Original paper wrappers with upper cover title, border and design printed in red; in contemporary glassine. Fine.

    ID#: 16464
    View cart More details Price: £200.00