Le Cheval Troyen
Paris: Chez Georges Visat, 1948. Full Leather. Near Fine binding. Item #9757
Octavo. 52, [6] pp., frontis, illus. Limited edition, number 195 of 225 copies. This copy bound by Monique Lallier in full calf with extensive leather onlay shapes referencing the style of Alanore's illustrations. Textblock is sewn on meeting guards with the original wrappers incorporated in the binding. Silk embroidered endbands and leather doublures and flyleaves. Stamp-signed and dated 2014 by Lallier in gold on the rear pastedown. Light offsetting from the etchings and occasional light foxing, but generally, an internally clean copy, nearly fine in a fine binding, housed in clamshell that is slightly bumped at the extremities.
An engaging and quirky narrative (text in French) wonderfully illustrated with 20 drypoint etchings by Alanore, some full page but most incorporated around the printing. This binding, from Lallier's personal collection, is featured in her 2018 retrospective exhibition put on by Guildford College with catalogue published by Oak Knoll Press. In it she remarks how Alanore's etchings all have prominent lips which informed her design of the cover in a leather that looks like horse (p. 100). A striking book, inside and out, bound by one of the most important design binders of the last 50 years.
Price: $3,800.00