BÈDIER, Joseph. Robert BONFILS, illustrator. ~ La Chatelaine de Vergy. Paris, [Frazie-Soye and Schott et Bonnet], 1926.
Large 4to (320 × 250 mm), pp. 75, [7]. 6 full-page wood engraved illustrations printed in colour (the last with additional silver added by the artist), ornaments and initials,some with gold ink, chevron borders Light offsetting. Original wrappers preserved in a half morocco binding by Franz Ostermann (’Franz’). Spine slightly rubbed. Slipcase.
Number 87 of 145 copies on Arches (after 22 on Japon, total edition 167, plus 25 reserved copies) of this stylish art deco interpretation of the French courtly poem of the thirteenth century, with illustrations by Robert Bonfils (the last finished by hand). The text is parallel, with the original on the left and Bédier’s modern French version on the right.
The binding by Franz Ostermann, called ‘Franz’ (1839-1938) is a superb art deco counterpart to the text, taking as its cue the chevron borders of the text. The chevrons are delineated by broad bands with with applied gold leaf, over a ground of grey and black morocco panels. The central panel is reserved for lozenges of grey and gold paper and overlaid marbled paper. It is a striking masterpiece of the mature years of ‘Franz’, a binder who had participated in most of the major strands of decorative arts in France from the last quarter of the nineteenth century to the art deco period. Fléty, Dictionnaire des relieurs français 138; Peyré, Histoire de la reliure de création, 189.