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Premium KÂ- MONDO / KAPANDJI MORHANGE

172 - LA FONTAINE (Jean) and CHADEL (Jules). A Selection of La Fon…
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Estimate €1,200 - €1,500
Sale commission
Description
LA FONTAINE (Jean) and CHADEL (Jules). A Selection of La Fontaine’s Fables, illustrated by Jules Chadel. With a preface by Albert Thibaudet. A remarkable copy on Japanese paper, enriched with several original drawings by Jules Chadel and 3 autograph letters, including 2 from the artist, in a sumptuous Maylander binding, adorned with a beautiful modelled gold plate by Chadel on the front cover and two woodcuts by the artist inserted into the endpapers. Paris, Les Cent Bibliophiles, 1927. In-4 (255x340 mm), coarse-grained red morocco, smooth spine decorated with a geometric design running across the covers, composed of burgundy morocco bands and gilt fillets within a wide blind-stamped border, a moulded gold plate inlaid in the centre of the front cover and signed by Chadel, a wide inner border of the same morocco repeating the cover design and bearing Juan Hernandez’s bookplate and the bookbinder’s signature in gilt lettering, linings decorated with two woodcut proofs printed in monochrome on silk, signed and verified by Jules Chadel, aubergine rep endpapers, double endpapers, edges gilt on endpapers, covers and spine preserved, half-maroquin slipcase with a band, box edged and signed (E. Maylander). XIV and 98 pages, 74 woodcut compositions in monochrome and 20 illuminated initials by Jules Chadel. Minimal rubbing on the spine of the cover. A splendid publication presenting 25 of La Fontaine’s fables, illustrated with 74 compositions and 20 historiated initials by the painter and engraver Jules Chadel (1870–1941), wood-engraved with the assistance of Germaine de Coster, and hand-printed in Paris using Japanese methods by Yoshijiro Urushibara, a ‘renowned artist from Tokyo’ with whom Jules Chadel trained. The most sought-after of the books illustrated by Chadel. Limited edition of 121 copies on Japanese paper; this is No. 50, printed for Juan Hernandez, who had his bookplate gilded along the edge of the front endpaper. A precious copy, enriched with: - 3 original pencil proofs by Chadel for the design of the plate adorning the front cover - 2 woodcut proofs printed in monochrome on silk, signed and numbered 10/10 by Jules Chadel, inserted into the lining of the binding - 2 black proofs of the designs adorning the linings, numbered 10/10 and signed in pencil by the artist - 6 original proofs enhanced with watercolour, all signed in pencil by the artist, mounted and framed in fine passe-partout - 1 proof of one of the engravings, numbered 16/20 and signed in pencil by Chadel - 1 autograph letter from Maylander dated 26 May 1951, addressed to the most recent purchaser of the copy - 2 autograph letters from Chadel to Juan Hernandez, concerning the choice of a binding for his copy, one dated 2 March 1929, the other 15 April of the same year, each accompanied by an original drawing by the artist - 2 menus, one from the dinner served by the Dagorno restaurant for the Cent Bibliophiles on 13 December 1926 (1 double leaf in-8 illustrated with the first state of one of Chadel’s woodcuts), the other from the dinner held at the Lapérouse restaurant on 31 January 1928 (3 leaves in-4) Superb binding by Émile Maylander (1866–1959), in perfect condition.
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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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