[Art nouveau

[Art nouveau, Modernisme, Wiener Secession, Anonyme], The Book of the Red Cross. [ Madrid, Sucesores de Rivadeneyra, 1900-1903?]. In-4, [247]p. COMPLET in a single volume. Only Volume II was published in French. Volume II, only volume published and, a priori, a single print run on Japanese paper, intended for members of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Given the rarity of this work, it is highly likely that apart from the 5 members of the Committee and the secretary of the presidency, no one had the opportunity to acquire this work in French. It is therefore highly probable that there were only 6 copies in French of this work, all on Japanese paper (see the article "Le Livre de la Croix-Rouge" published in the Bulletin international des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge, July 1903, no. 135). On the other hand, it seems that the Spanish edition was marketed: there exist copies of the edition with the cover reproducing Wieland's drawings. Six volumes were planned, Volume I to be published last in order to publish the list of subscribers. The work was published simultaneously in French, Spanish, English, German and Italian. This volume concerns the first countries: Germany, Argentina, Austria-Hungary, Belgium & Congo, Bulgaria. The covers of the binding, which are repeated in red engravings in the work, are by Hans Beat Wieland (1867-1945); his initials HBW appear on the engravings. The first page for each country is by a particular artist; first Alfons Mucha for Argentina (first page and vignettes). Alfred Roller for Germany and Austria-Hungary, LA (for Louis Anquetin ?) for Belgium and Samokiche for Bulgaria. The work presents the activities of each country with a text (printed on Japanese paper) and photographs (on glossy paper). A prospectus of the edition is attached, explaining in particular that Volume II was the first published. Full morocco binding, raised relief on the covers and gilt, gilt edges, endpapers with the red cross repeated. Binding somewhat rubbed in places, headcap with a flaw. Exceptional work, very rare.

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