TOUSSAINT (Maurice). Original drawings to illustrate the boo - Lot 321

TOUSSAINT (Maurice). Original drawings to illustrate the book *Les Demi-solde* by Georges d'Esparbès (Paris: Calmann Lévy, 1910). In-4, long-grain green morocco, triple gilt fillet, Napoleon Bonaparte’s coat of arms gilded in the center, decorated spine, the Emperor’s cipher and a small imperial bee alternating in the panels, interior border adorned with a set of gilded fillets, gilt edges (Noulhac). A collection of 66 remarkable original drawings by Maurice Toussaint, in pencil and ink, most enhanced with wash and a few with highlights of color, either on heavy paper or mounted. The drawings are very beautiful and of high quality. A signed letter from the author, addressed to Mr. P. Meunier (a single in-4 page mounted at the beginning), emphasizes the beauty of this collection: How grateful I am to you, dear Sir, for having become the guardian of these magnificent images, which I consider to be the finest illustrations of my book and Mr. Toussaint’s masterpiece […]. The man who gave my grenadiers such a proud bearing ended his career as an artist with a noble, heroic finale [...]. The Noulhac binding is decorated with Napoleonic emblems, in reference to Esparbès’s book, which deals with former officers of the Empire. Spine faded.

Estimate:£1,251.99

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