VERLAINE'S FÊTES GALANTES, SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED BY BARBIER

(BARBIER, George) VERLAINE, Paul. Fêtes Galantes. Paris: H. Piazza, 1928. Folio (9 by 12 inches), original illustrated self-wrappers; original slipcase. $4500.

Beautiful limited edition, number 810 of 800 copies on Rives paper (of a total edition of 1200), illustrated by George Barbier with 20 full-page hand-colored pochoir plates in his characteristic Art Deco style.

Associated with the early Symbolists, Verlaine "wrote some of the finest and most musical lyrics in the French language" (Harvey & Heseltine, 738). First published in 1869, Fêtes Galantes reflects the care for form and objectivity characteristic of Verlaine's early poetry. The designs in this splendid production are the work of Art Deco legend George Barbier, who began his career as a costume and set designer for the Ballet Russes and later created décors and costumes for music-halls, movies and the Folies Bergère through Max Weldy Studios. Renowned for his fashion illustrations for the leading magazines of the time, including the Gazette du Bon Ton and Vogue, his artistic style is recognized by a characteristically elegant, stylized line. Text in French.

Some toning to spine of scarce original slipcase; book fine. An excellent copy of this beautiful production.