[J.-J. GRANDVILLE] Les Étoiles dernière féerie [Paris/Leipzig: 1849. First Edition]

Description

Les Étoiles dernière féerie par J.-J. Grandville. Texte par Méry. Astronomie des Dames par le Cte. Foelix.

Paris / Leipzig: G. de Gonet and Charles Twietmeyer, n.d. [1849]. First edition. [iv], xvi, 252, [iv], 186, [ii] pp.
2 parts, bound as one, as issued. With a handcoloured wood engraved frontispiece, and 15 handcoloured steel engraved plates (most with tissue guards present).
4to. Original decorated cloth, all edges gilt.
References: Vicaire V, 770; Sander, 309; Beraldi VII, 222; Ray 200: “The compositions of this `last fairy-tale`, brilliantly engraved on steel by Geoffroy and delicately colored, form a fitting memorial to Grandville. […] Nearly every plate has its beautiful lady, clad in white and adorned with stars, beaming in the sky, with varied scenes of earthly life below her.”

Published posthumously, this is Grandville’s last work which was done in 1847 just before he died at the insane asylum in Vanves. The text contains two parts: Les Étoiles (the Stars) and Astronomie des Dames (Ladies’ Astronomy).

Jean-Jacques Grandville (1803-1847) was a talented French illustrator, who made satirical and humouristic fantasy illustrations. The succes of his work led him to make illustrations for numerous periodicals, such as Le Charivari, Le Caricature and L’Artiste. His style and humour had a marked influence on John Tenniel and other Punch illustrators. He is also seen as a precursor and inspiration of surrealism, especially his illustrations for Un Autre Monde.

In good condition, with restored spine. The spine is later cloth, with remains of the original spine laid down. Board edges and corners with some wear. Bookblock mostly clean, a few pages with foxing (especially the title and frontispiece).