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an old book with a picture of a man in a crown on ita close up of a newspaper with a picture of a clock on itan old book with a red ink splattered on itan old book with a black and white image of a man on a horsean old book with a drawing of a bird and a bird on ita close up of a book on a table with a white backgroundan old book with a picture of a man and a woman on itan old book with a picture of a man and a woman on it
Maître Paul PASTAUD

227 - [ROBIDA (Albert)]. Gazette du Vieux Paris, edited by a socie…
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Estimate €60 - €80
Sale commission
Description
[ROBIDA (Albert)]. Gazette du Vieux Paris, edited by a society of writers specialising in political and literary annals. Paris, A l'enseigne des trois écritoires, 1900. 14 issues, each comprising 4 pp. of text in two columns, in-4. Complete collection of the 14 issues, published from 14 April to 3 November 1900, throughout the duration of the Universal Exhibition. This fortnightly publication brings together texts by Anatole France, Adolphe Brisson, Henri Lavedan, François Coppée, Pierre Loti, Arsène Alexandre, Émile Faguet and André Theuriet, as well as one issue (No. 5) devoted entirely to Albert Robida, featuring his text and illustrations. Each issue is printed on a different type of paper, specially designed for the occasion. The copies show slight traces of a transverse crease, which is not a cause for concern; the collection as a whole is in good condition. A complete and rather rare collection. This publication accompanies a project to which Albert Robida was particularly attached: the reconstruction of ‘Old Paris’ on the Île de la Cité, with its old single-storey houses. On the occasion of the 1900 World’s Fair, he finally secured the resources to bring this dream to life. He involved his entire family in the project and took his attention to detail to the point of recreating the furniture, carpets, fabrics and the entire interior décor. Robida surrounded himself with several of the greatest writers of his time, including Jules Verne, Henri Lavedan, Adolphe Brisson, François Coppée and Pierre Loti. Together, they conceived an original publication tracing both the history of Paris through the centuries — the first issue being devoted to the Gallo-Roman period and accompanied by three maps — and the evolution of writing, from Roman calligraphy to Merovingian, Carolingian and Gothic scripts. Keen to make each issue a unique work of art, Robida had fourteen different types of paper produced: shaped watermarked paper, paper made from linen rags and plant fibres, corn paper, paper dyed brown or green, parchment of extreme fineness, blue paper with a pink watermark for the Regency period, paper stained with red ink evoking the blood of Marat and that shed during the Revolution, etc. Each issue is printed with coloured inks specially matched to the paper, illustrated with pen-and-ink drawings for the calligraphic pages and woodcuts for the sections evoking the early days of printing. Taken as a whole, this is a publishing achievement of remarkable quality and originality.
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About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 1 of 4 – Nos. 1 to 549
Auction location
Auction time 08/19/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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