Les Trois Couleurs
One of [20] first copies on China paper (not announced), signed and justified by Montorgueil and Job, this copy no. 19.
These illustrations are among the artist’s finest: behind the pseudonym Job lie the initials of Jacques Onfroy de Bréville (1858–1931), one of the leading illustrators of children’s books at the turn of the century. He produced some ninety books between 1886 and 1931, the great majority devoted to illustrating the history of France, of which he remains the incomparable image-maker.
In 1895, with Georges Montorgueil providing the text, he began a great historical fresco in three volumes, concluded by Les Trois Couleurs, following France, son histoire (1896) and La Cantinière (1898): “The originality of the undertaking lies in the personification of France as a female figure whom the reader follows from the cradle to adulthood […]. Beyond the narrative device, the success of the album owes much to Job’s skill as an illustrator and to his mastery of layout, evident in the book’s advanced design: the text merges with the illustration, at times almost disappearing into it […]. Carefully composed down to the smallest detail, sometimes bled to the edge, sometimes framed by a decorative border laden with symbols, the illustrations lend national glories a certain familiarity within their grandeur, as with Charlemagne bending over young France” (Carine Picaud, Livres d’enfants d’hier à aujourd’hui: Babar, Harry Potter et Cie, B.n.F., 2008).
A rare copy on China paper, limited to 20 copies. It is followed by 50 copies on Japanese paper.
The whole is presented in sheets in the publisher’s portfolio, with the same illustrated percaline boards used for the editions bound as volumes: a polychrome print with ornaments by Jacques Drogue, produced using a plate engraved by Paule Souze.
Slight corner loss to the second leaf of gathering 9. The portfolio’s ties are missing.