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36 - BERQUE (Jean). The Return of the Prodigal Son. The Gospel ac…
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Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
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Description
BERQUE (Jean). The Return of the Prodigal Son. The Gospel according to Saint Luke. A rare edition produced by an amateur, printed in a limited run of 25 unique copies; this one is illustrated with 16 luminous colour compositions signed by Jean Berque, bound in an elegant Jansenist morocco by Adrien Lavaux. Paris, Gonin, 1933. In-4 (230x330 mm), navy blue Jansenist morocco, spine with raised bands embossed with the title in gold lettering, gold fillet on the edges, interior edging in the same morocco adorned with multiple gold and blind-stamped fillets and the signature "Ad. Lavaux", lining and endpapers in rosewood-patterned moiré silk, double endpapers, gilt head on endpapers, cover and spine preserved, edged slipcase (Lavaux). XXXVI pages, 16 original colour compositions signed by Jean Berque, full-page and in a scroll format. Spine slightly faded and very slightly rubbed. An exceedingly rare and charming edition produced at the expense of a collector, Mr Gustave-Édouard Gentil, who had 25 copies printed, each hand-illustrated with original compositions by Jean Berque (1896–1954). Each copy is therefore unique: this one contains 16 splendid colour illustrations created in coloured pencils, pen and ink, watercolour or gouache, all signed by the artist. Limited edition of 25 numbered copies; this is No. XIV, signed by the artist on the colophon. Jean Berque (1896–1954), a French painter and illustrator renowned for his nudes, exhibited at the Salon d’Automne from 1924 to 1928 and at the Salon des Tuileries between 1927 and 1934. He is best known for his work as an illustrator of books for bibliophiles: he collaborated with François-Louis Schmied, Philippe Gonin and the Gonin brothers of Lausanne, and notably illustrated works by André Gide, Pierre Louÿs, Colette, Montherlant, André Maurois, Paul Claudel, Anna de Noailles and Paul-Jean Toulet, as well as the Song of Songs. A very fine copy, beautifully bound by Adrien Lavaux, a Parisian bookbinder active between 1910 and 1937.
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About the sale Fine antique and collectible books, manuscripts and modern illustrated works
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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