Beschreibung:

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, HENRI DE] CLEMENCEAU, GEORGES. Au Pied du Sinai . Paris: Henry Floury, 1898. An exemplaire nominatif indicating that this copy was prepared for Gustave Geffroy; this copy otherwise conforms to the edition de tete of 25, with the text printed on Japon and the plates in three states. Each of the ten plates on Japon are fully pencil signed by Lautrec. Original publisher's board portfolio with Toulouse-Lautrec's wrapper design, retaining cloth ties; within, the book is loose as issued in the original oversize lithographed wrappers. Wrappers 15 inches (38 cm), the plates on Japon 13 7/8 inches (35 cm), the other two suites smaller, the text 10 3/4 inches (28 cm); [4] ff. (including a 2 ff. blank), 107, [1] pp. text, [2] ff., with six culs de lampe. Included is the rare suite of planches refuses, consisting of the rejected cover design (a single folded sheet) and three other lithographs, all in black. Front cover of portfolio separated at fold; in all this copy is in a remarkable state of preservation, given that most of the deluxe issue were cut down when bound. There are a few minor spots of foxing to the outer edges of a few plates, but in general this is a very clean copy. The recipient of this copy, the critic Gustave Jeffroy (1855-1926), was a close friend of both Toulouse-Lautrec and Cezanne (whose career he promoted, and who painted a well-known portrait of him). He wrote the text to accompany Lautrec's Yvette Guilbert, published in 1894. Lautrec rarely signed the lithographs in his books; that he did in this case is indicative of the esteem in which he held Jeffroy. Artist and the Book 302, Skira 338, Rauch 16, Joyant p. 229. Provenance: The Harriman Douglas copy, Parke-Bernet Galleries, November 19, 1951 C