Lucie Paul-Margueritte / Wang Chao-Ki and Raoul Serres...

With a lovely original watercolour / Avec une belle aquarelle originale PAUL-MARGUERITTE (Lucie). [WANG CHAO KI, illustrator] *Le Miroir magique*. Twenty-six poems on Chinese themes Paris: Cent Femmes Amies des Livres (1932) First and only edition, and the fourth publication by the Cent Femmes Amies des Livres. This is copy no. 4 of 130 numbered copies, printed on Imperial Japanese paper for Madame Barthélemy. Accompanied by an original watercolour: the initial ‘S’, depicting a dragon amongst the clouds, attributed to Wang Chao Ki. It is executed in watercolour and ink on fine paper, mounted on card within lined borders. A comparison with the printed initial on page 81 shows that this is indeed the model on which the printed version was based: the engraver added white highlights to the dragon’s tail and head and transformed the cool grey clouds into sepia. We have found no other copy on the market featuring an original drawing. 26 poems, one for each letter of the alphabet. Each opens with a large coloured initial designed by Wang Chao Ki and engraved in intaglio (etching and aquatint) by Raoul Serres. The book is a poetic alphabet that pairs the letters of the Roman alphabet with Chinese-inspired imagery. The author, Lucie Paul-Margueritte (1886–1955), was the daughter of the novelist Paul Margueritte. She was known for her French adaptations of works of Chinese literature. The Société des Cent Femmes Amies des Livres was founded in Paris in 1927 to provide female collectors with their own bibliophile society. Membership was limited to one hundred, and each copy was printed in the name of a designated member. Folio (335 × 255 mm; 13¼ × 10 inches). In unbound, folded quires, as published, in the original printed dust jacket, which bears a large Chinese character in red. Complete and in very good condition. Slight handling to the covers. There is a small marginal stain on the colophon page. The Cent Femmes Amies des Livres was a Paris book club for women only, limited to 100 members, founded in 1927. Each copy was printed for a named member. This is copy no. 4, made for Madame Barthélemy, and it was the society’s fourth book. The book is an alphabet in 26 poems. The initials were designed by a Chinese artist, Wang Chao Ki, and engraved by a French master printmaker, Raoul Serres, using etching and aquatint. It’s a fine example of Art Deco chinoiserie in French fine printing.

Estimation:€275

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