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Renaut de Montauban (Chanson de geste)
Illustrated by: Eugène Samuel Grasset (French, 1841–1917)
Publisher: H. Launette (French, 19th century)
Printer: Charles Gillot (French, 1853–1903)
1883
Place of Publication: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Illustrated book with photo-lithographed decorations
Dimensions Overall: 28.5 x 23.7 x 3.2 cm (11 1/4 x 9 5/16 x 1 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.2131
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Paris: H. Launette, 1883

Catalogue Raisonné Ray, French Illustrated Book, 357; Houghton Library, Turn of a Century, 48
Description(Paris: H. Launette, 1883) Quarto; [4 ff.] 8 pp. [1 f.] [9-]224 pp. [8 ff.]; contemporary half gilt-stamped brown morocco, marbled paper boards (Canape; original publisher's pictorial wrappers bound in).

First edition with these illustrations, adapted from a 1737 text of the Renaut de Montauban. There is an introduction and notes by Charles Marcilly. The printer Gillot commissioned Grasset to make some 900 watercolor separations for the multi-colored decorations, producing using advanced photolithographic techniques. Grasset's adaptation of medieval motifs from various traditions, along with his development of "all-over" page design, was influential for book illustration.

Though the justification page cites this "de luxe" edition as limited to 200 numbered copies, this copy, from the second 100 on China paper, is not numbered.

Literary illustrations. First edition with these illustrations, adapted from a 1737 text of the Renaut de Montauban. There is an introduction and notes by Charles Marcilly. The printer Gillot commissioned Grasset to make some 900 watercolor separations for the multi-colored decorations, producing using advanced photolithographic techniques. Grasset's adaptation of medieval motifs from various traditions, along with his development of "all-over" page design, was influential for book illustration.

Though the justification page cites this "de luxe" edition as limited to 200 numbered copies, this copy, from the second 100 on China paper, is not numbered.
ProvenanceAcquired [in 1898?] by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.