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The top cover of the French humouristic weekly Le Rire № 631, 7 Mars 1931. Lettering: № 631 – 7 Mars 1931 … S.A.D.E.P. … Le Numéro : 1 fr. 50 | Le Rire | JOURNAL HUMORISTIQUE PARAISSANT LE SAMEDI | — Dis donc, maman, ce qu'il doit être curieux, le / Monsieur d'en face, ça fait une heure qu'il cherche à / lire le titre de ton livre. | Dessin de ROJANKOVSKY. Publisher: S.A.D.E.P. => Éditions: Société Auxilliaire pour la Diffusion des Éditions de Productivité — 11, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris. Artist: Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan, Фёдор Степанович Рожанковский] (Russian-French-American, 1891 – 1970) -
Hardcover volume 220 x 143 mm, bound in dark blue cloth with gilt square monogram to front and gilt lettering to spine, aubergine endpapers, top edge gilt; pagination: [2] limitation leaf bound in, [4] 1-192, 1-48 (total 246 pages), plus 12 loose colour plates 133 x 102 mm tipped-in to the pocket in the rear pastedown. Limited edition of 250 copies, of which this is № 244. Title-page: CATALOGUE | DU | CABINET SECRET DU PRINCE G*** | — | COLLECTION DE LIVRES | ET | OBJETS CURIEUX ET RARES | CONCERNANT | L'AMOUR, LES FEMMES | ET LE MARIAGE | AVEC LES PRIX DE VENTE | (in rules) PREMIÈRE PARTIE | BRUXELLES | M DCCC LXXXVII || Contra-title: CATALOGUE | OF THE | SECRET CABINET OF PRINCE G*** | [GALITZIN] | — | COLLECTION OF BOOKS | AND | CURIOUS AND RARE OBJECTS | CONCERNING | LOVE, WOMEN | AND MARRIAGE | INCLUDING THE SALE PRICE | — | WITH AN INTRODUCTION | TO THIS EDITION BY | W. N. SCHORS | LONDON | CHARLES SKILTON | MDCCCCLXXV || Limitation: EDITION LIMITED TO | 250 COPIES | of which this is | No. 244 | The Coloured Illustrations with this reprint | are reproductions of twelve of the lithographs | by Devéria listed as No. 115 on page 30 of the | Supplement || Imprint: Introduction copyright by W. N. Schors, 1975 | Limited Edition of 250 copies | made and printed by Lewis Reprints Ltd | Tonbridge, Kent | and published by | CHARLES SKILTON LTD | 90 The Broadway, London SW19 || Contributors: Gustave Lehec (French, 1841 – 1922) Charles Skilton (British, c.1922 – 1990) -
Hardcover volume 230 x 135 mm, bound in brown buckram with gilt lettering to spine, in craft paper dust jacket with lettering and vignette, and blurb on flaps; collated 8vo: A-O8, i.e. 112 sheets, pp: [1-8] 9-221 [222] [2 blank], plus frontispiece in colour and four leaves of b/w plates after p. 96; First UK edition. Title-page (in cresting frame): THE MEMOIRS | OF AN | EROTIC | BOOKSELLER | by | ARMAND COPPENS | assisted by his | tired wife | CLEMENTINE | and her | distant lover | VOLUME ONE | ⚜ | LONDON: LUXOR PRESS || Imprint: © Armand Coppens, 1969 | Made and printed in | Great Britain by | C. Tinling and Co Ltd | Liverpool, London and Prescot | and | published by | LUXOR PRESS LTD | 50 Alexandra Road | London s w 19 […] || Contributors: Schors, Willem Nicolas [Coppens, Armand] (Dutch, 1925 – 2014) Luxor Press (London) — owner Charles Skilton (British, c.1922 – 1990) -
"The Jewish Hungarian artist Nicolas Sternberg moved to Paris in the 1920s, remaining there for the rest of his life, hiding during the German occupation of the city in the 1940s under false identity papers". [MIA: Minneapolis Institute of Art, cited] Jean-Pierre Dutel provides the following information: Nicolas Sternberg was born to Jewish parents on July 9, 1902, in Nagyvárad, in Austro-Hungary. According to the archives of the Préfecture de police in Paris (1930), he was Hungarian. His real name was Miklós Szines-Sternberg. At the time, it was common among painters and sculptors to retain their original German names while adopting Hungarian-German double surnames. From age twelve, he worked as a newspaper illustrator in Budapest before moving to Paris in the early 1920s after studying in Munich. He published regularly in Paris-Soir, one of the most important French daily newspapers between the wars. Despite his talent, only one solo exhibition seems to have been dedicated to him at the Galerie Georges Petit (Georges Petit, 1856–1920) in 1929. Jules Pascin (1885 –1930) exhibited there in 1930 and committed suicide on the opening day. Sternberg is known for his drawings devoted to the circus, madmen, and pornography. He excelled in portraits and self-portraits, particularly fine portraits of his wife Miche and his friend Michel Simon (1895–1975). In 1927, he made drawings for Les Flambeaux de la Noce, a play at the Comédie-Française. He also contributed to the illustration of La Légende des sexes by Edmond Haraucourt (1856 –1941). In 1930, he created illustrations for Les Aventures du Roi Pausole by Pierre Louÿs (1870–1925), published by Simon Kra (1853–1940), and for an edition of the bawdy songs Les Trois Orfèvres à la Saint Éloi, which led to an investigation into its publisher and illustrator. He also produced original watercolours for an edition of Manuel de Civilité by Pierre Louÿs. In 1933, he illustrated Madame de Pompadour by Paul Reboux (1877 –1963). In 1937, Sternberg illustrated Souls and Secrets, a collection of Hasidic stories by József Patai (1882–1953), translated by his son, the anthropologist, ethnologist, and historian Raphael Patai (Budapest, 1910 – Tucson, 1996), who kept some of Sternberg’s works in his home. Portraits of Michel Simon dating from 1932, along with numerous pornographic photographs of Sternberg taken by the actor between 1940 and 1960, demonstrate the longevity of their relationship. In 1940, Sternberg miraculously escaped the Nazi’s aerial bombardment that killed several members of his family. During the Occupation, he lived in hiding with false papers and resumed his career in Paris after the war. Despite visual differences, Jules Pascin and Nicolas Sternberg shared some curious similarities. Their works, though employing different techniques, reflect the same underlying despair. Like Pascin, Sternberg committed suicide. -
Hardcover volume 226 x 206 mm, bound in black cloth, orange paper panel with lettering, black endpapers, pp.: [1-8] 9-128 [4]; print run limited to 502 copies, with 500 printed on Papeir Libris numbered from 1 to 500, of which this is copy № 443. Gift ms in blue ballpen to h.t. by Jacques Duprilot for Guy Parguez (French, 1936 – 2021), a librarian at Lyon Public Library (Bibliothèque de la Ville de Lyon) : « Pour Guy Parguez afin qu'il n'ignore plus rien du presque du catalogue du cabinet secret du Prince G***. Aves toute ma sympathie. A Lyon 1e 18 Juin 1989. Duprilot ». Title-page: JACQUES DUPRILOT | L'ÉNIGME DU CATALOGUE | DU CABINET SECRET | DU PRINCE G*** | OU LES RUSES DU LIBRAIRE LEHEC || Half-title: LES CURIOSA DE MONSIEUR LEHEC | ET | LA GENÈSE | DU CATALOGUE DU CABINET SECRET | DU PRINCE G*** | (1887-1890) || Limitation (colophon): ÉDITION ORIGINALE | ACHEVÉE D'IMPRIMER EN MARS 1989 | PAR DUMARET & GOLAY À CAROUGE-GENÈVE | COMPRENANT | 2 EXEMPLAIRES DE TÊTE NOMINATIFS | SUR JAPON KOZU VELLUM | ET 500 EXEMPLAIRES SUR PAPIER LIBRIS | NUMÉROTÉS DE 1 À 500 | EXEMPLAIRE N° 443 || -
NEWSoftcover volume 240 x 210 mm, publisher’s pictorial wrappers, back wrapper blank, pp.: [1-6] 7-166 [2], b/w illustrations throughout; ISBN 2-86000-022-4. Title-page: LE PARISIEN CHEZ LUI | AU XIX SIÈCLE | 1814 – 1914 | ARCHIVES NATIONALES | HOTEL DE ROHAN | NOVEMBRE 1976 • FÉVRIER 1977 || Imprint: L'Exposition a été organisée | par le Secrétariat d'État à la Culture, | Direction des Archives de France, | avec le concours financier | de la Délégation Générale aux Expositions et Échanges Culturels | et de la Ville de Paris, | et la participation de la Société des | Amis des Archives de France || Favier, Jean (French, 1932 – 2014) – author, directeur général des Archives de France. -
NEWSoftcover volume 250 x 190 mm in publisher’s French flapped wrappers in glassine jacket, marbled with red lettering, in a double slipcase 257 x 196 mm with printed imitation of toile de Jouy; printed on watermarked BFK Rives paper, outer and lower margins untrimmed, unbound, folded quires in 4to, pp.: [1-6] 7-116 [4], leaves in the wrappers not counted, plus 12 plates – coloured etchings by Suzanne Ballivet – within collation; tissue guards laid in. Title-page (red and black): HONORÉ - GABRIEL RIQUETTI | COMTE DE MIRABEAU | le rideau levé | ou | L'EDUCATION | de | LAURE | {fleuron} | AUX ÉDITIONS DU PRIAPE D'ARGENT | — | AVEC PRIVILEGE DU ROY || Colophon: LA PREMIÈRE PARTIE DU RIDEAU LEVÉ, | A ÉTÉ ACHEVÉE D'IMPRIMER EN MARS | 1794, SUR LES PRESSES DE MAITRE BRUTUS | NICAISE, A VERSAILLES. | DANS LA SECONDE PARTIE DE CET OU- | VRAGE, TIRÉE TRÈS PROCHAINEMENT LE | LECTEUR RETROUVERA LAURE, LA JEUNE | HEROINE DE CE RECIT, QUI, EN UN LAN- | GAGE DÉNUÉ DE CETTE FAUSSE PUDEUR, | CHERE AUX HYPOCRITES, CONTERA LES | PRÉMICES DE SON INITIATION AUX | JOUTES AMOUREUSES | 🖤 || Justification du tirage. Le tirage de cette édition a été rigoureusement limité a cent quatre-vingt-dix-sept exemplaires. Sa composition s'effectue de la façon suivante : Un exemplaire unique sur Japon Imperial portant le numéro 1 ; Douze exemplaires sur grand papier de Rives a la forme numérotés de 2 a 13 ; Vingt-quatre exemplaires sur grand papier de Rives a la forme, numérotés de 14 a 37 ; Cent soixante exemplaires sur grand papier de Rives a la forme, numérotes de 38 a 197. Enrichis d'une suite des remarques [sv: lacking]. Il a été tiré en outre : vingt-six exemplaires marqués de A à z, destinés à un groupe de bibliophiles d’Afrique du nord. Exemplaire N° 190. Limitation: This is copy № 190 of the print run of 197 commercial copies. Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 2333, p. 350 ; Honesterotica. Contributors: Mirabeau, Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de (French, 1749 – 1791) – author. Suzanne Ballivet (French, 1904 – 1985) – artist. -
NEWSoftcover volume 250 x 200 mm, French flapped wrappers in glassine jacket, with a vignette and dark blue lettering to front, printed on watermarked Arches paper, all margins untrimmed, unbound, unpaginated, 6 quires folded in 4to; ms text and images produced in dry point, frontispiece vignette hand-coloured; collation: 1 blank, 1 tp, 1 editor's note, 24 text, 1 colophon, i.e. 28 leaves, leaves within the wrapper not counted. Limited edition of 300 copies; this is copy № 126 of 285 printed on Arches paper. Title-page (blue and black): SUZON | EN | VACANCES | Journal Secret | d'une Jeune Fille | {vignette} | Aux dépens | des Amis de Cupidon || Colophon: Il a été tiré de cet ouvrage : | 5 exemplaires sur Japon super-nacré, conte- | nant chacun deux dessins originaux, | numérotés de 1 à 5; | 10 exemplaires sur Japon impérial, contenant | chacun un dessin original, numérotés de 6 à 15; | 285 exemplaires sur vélin d'Arches, numérotés | de 16 à 300. | Exemplaire N° 126 || Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 2473, p. 397; Honesterotica. For the pirated reprint, published in the late 1940s, see LIB-2935.2022 (Dutel III № 2578).For published in the late 1930s (1937?) Le mariage de Suzon: Journal secret, see LIB-3410.2025 (Dutel III № 1927).
LIB-2935.2022 (Dutel III № 2578).
Both Suzon en vacances and Le Mariage de Suzon are attributed to Léon Courbouleix (French, 1887 – 1972). Seller's note: Suzon en vacances. In-4 écu, 25 x 20 cm de 30 ff. n. ch. dont le frontispice en couleur, 1 titre imprimée en bleu et noir avec vignette imprimée en noir, 1 p. d'avertissement des éditeurs, 46 pages entièrement gravées à la pointe sèche (texte et illustration), 1 p. de justification du tirage. Le texte court autour des illustrations tout au long des feuillets (piqûres). Couverture rempliée, impression en bleu, illustrée d'un portrait gravé en couleur. Tirage à 300 ex.
LIB-3410.2025 (Dutel III № 1927).
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NEWSoftcover volume 248 x 200 mm, French flapped wrappers in glassine jacket, with a vignette and dark blue lettering to front, printed on very thick Arches paper, all margins untrimmed, unbound: 6 quires folded in 4to; ms text and images produced in dry point, frontispiece vignette hand-coloured; collation: 2 blank, 1 tp, 1 editor's note, 24 text, 1 blank, 1 colophon, i.e. 30 leaves total, those within the wrapper not counted; paginated with Roman numbers I to XLVI. Limited edition of 300 copies; this is copy № 28 of 285 printed on Arches paper. Title-page (blue and black): LE MARIAGE | DE | SUZON | Journal Secret | {vignette} | Aux dépens | des Amis de Cupidon || Colophon: Il a été tiré de cet ouvrage : | 5 exemplaires sur Japon super-nacré, conte- | nant chacun deux dessins originaux, | numérotés de 1 à 5; | 10 exemplaires sur Japon impérial, contenant | chacun un dessin original, numérotés de 6 à 15; | 285 exemplaires sur vélin d'Arches, numérotés | de 16 à 300. | Exemplaire N° 28 || Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 1927, p. 253; Honesterotica. For published in 1935 Suzon en vacances: Journal secret d’une jeune fille, see LIB-3409.2025 (Dutel III № 2473).For the pirated reprint of the same published in the late 1940s, see LIB-2935.2022 (Dutel III № 2578).
LIB-3409.2025
Both Suzon en vacances and Le Mariage de Suzon are attributed to Léon Courbouleix (French, 1887 – 1972). Seller's note: Le Mariage de Suzon. In-4, 25 x 20 cm de 30 ff. n. ch. dont 2 ff. n. ch., 1 p. de titre imprimée en bleu et noir avec vignette imprimée en noir, 1 p. d'avertissement des éditeurs, 1 frontispice en couleur, 46 pages entièrement gravées à la pointe sèche (texte et illustration), 1 f. de justification du tirage. Les illustrations courent autour du texte tout au long des feuillets. Couverture rempliée, impression en bleu, illustrée d'un portrait en pied de la mariée, gravé en couleur. Tirage à 300 ex. Édition originale en premier tirage de ces deux ouvrages réunissant 2 frontispice pointes sèches en couleur et 92 pointes sèches. Dutel voit un étui pour Suzon en vacances et pas d'étui pour Le Mariage de Suzon. Nos deux volumes sont sans étui. Pour préfacer Suzon en vacances, Léon Courbouleix joint l'humour au libertinage: « Nous demandons au lecteur qui va ouvrir ce livre un peu d'indulgence. Ce journal a été écrit par une jeune fille de seize ans, il y a bien longtemps. Nous le publions in-extenso, lui conservant ainsi toute sa saveur primesautière. S'il pèche par le style et la forme littéraire, il n'en reste pas moins un document humain qui répond parfaitement à la question souvent posée et jamais résolue: « À quoi rêvent les jeunes filles? » C'est signé : « Les Éditeurs ». Bibliographie : Pia 1384 et 884, Dutel 2473 et 1927.LIB-2935.2022
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NEWSoftcover volume 218 x 155 mm, French flapped wrappers in glassine jacket, with red lettering to front “UNE JEUNE FILLE | À LA PAGE”; pp.: [1-8] 9-139 [140] [4], i.e. 72 leaves total, incl. those in the wrapper, plus 10 photomechanically printed colour plates after Paul-Émile Bécat. Limited edition of 400 copies with 350 printed on vélin surfin paper numbered from 51 to 400; this is copy № 254. Title-page (red and black): HELENA VARLEY | UNE JEUNE FILLE | A LA PAGE | {fleuron} | A LA VILLA BRIGITTE | COLLECTION DES DEUX HÉMISPHÈRES || Imprint/Limitation: CETTE ÉDITION, NON MISE DANS LE COMMERCE | ET RÉSERVÉE A DES AMATEURS, A ÉTÉ TIRÉE | A 400 EXEMPLAIRES, TOUS NUMÉROTÉS A LA | PRESSE, A SAVOIR : | 50 EXEMPLAIRES SUR VELIN PUR FIL LAFUMA, | NUMÉROTÉS DE 1 A 50 ; | 350 EXEMPLAIRES SUR VELIN SURFIN, |NUMÉROTÉS DE 51 A 400. | EXEMPLAIRE N° 254 | Exemplaire sur vélin surfin. || Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 2564, p. 401. Honesterotica. Contributors: Nicolaï, Michèle [Varley, Helena] (French, 1896 – 1950) – author. Bécat, Paul-Émile (French, 1885 – 1960) – artist. Duflou, Maurice (French, 1885 – 1951) – publisher. -
NEWSoftcover volume 250 x 190 mm, French flapped pink wrapper with glassine dust cover, lettering to front, pp.: [2 blanks] [2 h.t./blank] [2] 3-87 [88] [2 blanks] [2colophon/blank] [2 blanks], i.e. 49 leaves total plus 12 etchings incl. frontispiece; laid paper; all margins untrimmed. Limitation: The print run of 150 copies; this copy bears number 21 (one of 25 copies printed on ‘Chinese’ paper). Title-page: GAMIANI | OU | DEUX NUITS D'EXCÈS | ILLUSTRÉ DE DOUZE EAUX-FORTES | PAR UNE FEMME | BRUXELLES | AU DÉPENS D'UN AMATEUR || Similar lettering to the front wrapper. Colophon: JUSTIFICATION | Il a été tiré de cet ouvrage : 2 exemplaires sur japon impérial, numérotés 1 et 2; 25 exemplaires sur chine, numérotés de 3 à 27; 28 exemplaires sur papier de Montval, numérotés de 28 à 55; 95 exemplaires sur papier de Vidalon, numérotés de 56 à 150. Exemplaire N° 21. Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 1641, pp. 185/6. Contributors: Alfred de Musset (French, 1810 – 1857) – author. May [Marie-Jeanne] den Engelsen (Dutch-French, 1900 – 1968) – artist Gaston Coquette, possibly Hubert Gaston Coquette (French, 1878 – 1969) ”Gaston Coquette, a printer who worked at 69, rue de la Glacière in the 13th arrondissement [in Paris]” – printer/publisher. Seller’s description: Un volume in-4 tellière (245 x 195 mm) de 88 pp., 2 ff, couverture rempliée en papier rose imprimée en noir. Illustré de 12 eaux-fortes de May den Engelsen. Tirage limité à 150 ex. L'un des 25 ex. (n° 21) sur chine. La gravure a certainement été réalisée à bord de la péniche La Marie-Jeanne, avec la complicité du compagnon de l'artiste, Frans de Geetere (Belgian, 1895 – 1968). Si quelques éléments biographiques de Frans sont faciles d'accès, les dates de naissance et de décès de May demeurent inconnues. L'impression typographique sort des presses de Gaston Coquette, imprimeur rue de la Glacière qui sévissait toujours dans les années cinquante pour le compte de Jean-Jacques Pauvert (French, 1926 – 2014). -
NEWIron tsuba of almost round form decorated with five roundels – circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiselled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines or seaweed all over the plate. Large hitsu-ana of ‘undulating cloud form’ outlined with brass. Nakago-ana of trapezoidal form, fitted with copper sekigane. Signed on both sides of seppa-dai on both sides of the plate: Made by Yoshirō, resident of Okayama in Bizen [備前岡山住・与四郎作之] (Bizen Okayama-jū – Yoshirō kore o tsukuru)According to Torigoye’s book “Tsuba Geijitsu Kō”, written in around 1962: “It is clear that there were two generations who used the name Bizen Yoshirō. The first generation worked about Kambun era (1661-1672). The second generation worked about the Genroku era (1688-1703). […] In the work of the first Bizen Yoshirō we see large hitsu-ana of undulating cloud forms. This would seem the sole characteristic separating his work from the other Bizen artists. In rare cases small nanako dots, or gold and silver ten-zōgan are to be found. Sometime after the middle of the Edo age the work of the Bizen Yoshirō school disappears, and there is no later work in the style of this school. The signatures found on tsuba are the following: Yoshirō saku, or Yoshirō kore (wo) tsukuru, this is the signature of the first Bizen Yoshirō. Other signatures are Umon Nagatsugu, or Koike Umon Nagatsugu, with Okayama jū nin on the back. Also Bizen Yoshirō Nagatsugu saku. Umon Nagatsugu and Koike Nagatsugu are the same person”.
Bizen Province [備前国] is located in southeastern Okayama Prefecture [岡山県]. Kanbun era [寛文] (April 1661 – September 1673). Dimensions: 68.5 x 68.0 mm; Thickness at seppa-dai 3.4 mm -
NEWA softcover volume 285 x 190 mm in cream French flapped wrapper and glassine dust cover, with lettering to front, pp.: [1-8] 9-201 [202] [4], i.e. 103 leaves, incl. frontispiece, ‘Fin’ page and leaves within the wrappers. Title-page vignette, full-page and in-text illustrations, and tailpieces after Feodor Rojankovsky by au pochoir reproductions in colour. Print run limited to 200 numbered copies, of which this is № 14. Title-page: P. L. | TROIS FILLES | DELEUR MÈRE | {vignette} | AUX DÉPENS D'UN AMATEUR | ET POUR SES AMIS || Limitation: Le présent ouvrage a été tiré à | deux cents exemplaires tous numérotés | EXEMPLAIRE 14 || Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 2522, p. 391; Pia II № 1341, p. 700. Contributors: Pierre Louÿs (French, 1870 – 1925) – author. Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan; Рожанковский, Фёдор Степанович] (Russian-American, 1891 – 1970) – artist. As for the illustrations, Pascal Pia (1978) in Les Livres de l'enfer does not provide any attribution. Jean-Pierre Dutel in his Bibliographie des ouvrages érotiques publiés clandestinement en français entre 1920 et 1970 (2005) attributes the illustrations to René Ranson (René Gontran Ranson, 1891 – 1977). After that, many antiquarian dealers and bloggers (John Kruse of johnkruseblog) repeat that wrongful attribution made by Victor Arwas. Now, Mr. Dutel has instructed me to inform the audience that the attribution in Bibliographie des ouvrages érotiques was wrong and that the illustrations for this edition were produced by Feodor Rojankovsky. -
NEWSoftcover volume 245 x 192 mm in a slipcase 153 x 192 mm, cream parchment flapped wrappers with lettering to front and spine, unbound, margins untrimmed, printed on wove paper, collated in 16 unbound gatherings, unsigned, text in pink arabesque frame with a round vignette in the bottom; the contents is similar to previously published Douze douzains de dialogues ou petites scènes amoureuses by Pierre Louÿs (see LIB-3144.2023 and LIB-2819.2021 in this collection. Pagination: [1-8] 9-124 [125 colophon] [3 blanks], .i.e. 64 leaves plus 12 lithographic plates, extraneous to collation. Plates are attributed to Jean Berque. Print run of 153 copies, of which this is copy № 45. A typical case of a clandestine reproduction of erotic text with quickly made salacious illustrations during the occupation of France by the Nazis. Title-page: Pierre Louys | — | DIALOGUES | ou | Petites Scènes Amoureuses | 1943 | LES ÉDITIONS SOUS LE MANTEAU | LORIENT || Colophon: CET OUVRAGE, NON DESTINÉ A ÊTRE MIS DANS LE | COMMERCE, A ÉTÉ TIRÉ A CENT-CINQUANTE-TROIS | EXEMPLAIRES, SAVOIR : 3 EXEMPLAIRES SUR ARCHES A LA FORME, Nos 1 A 3. | 150 EXEMPLAIRES SUR RIVES PUR FIL, Nos 4 A 153. | Exemplaire N 00,045 || Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 1397, p. 130. Contributors: Pierre Louÿs (French, 1870 – 1925) – author. Jean Berque (French, 1896 – 1954) – atrist. -
NEWSoftcover volume 245 x 195 mm in cream French flapped wrapper with blue lettering to front, printed on wove paper with Arches watermarkes, header and footer framed in blue arabesque; pp.: ffl [1-4] 5-124 [125] [3] ffl, i.e. 64 leaves plus 12 colour lithographs by Schem (Raoul Serres), incl. frontispiece. A print run of 325 copies, of which this is copy № 69 on Arches vellum. Title-page (blue and black): MARQUIS DE SADE | HISTOIRE | DE JÉRÔME | ILLUSTRÉE D'EAUX-FORTES ORIGINALES | REHAUSSÉES DE COULEURS | PAR UN | ARTISTE INCONNU | PARIS | CHEZ TOUS LES LIBRAIRES | MCMXXXVI || Colophon: JUSTIFICATION DU TIRAGE. Cette édition du Marquis de Sade, illustrée de 12 eaux-fortes originales d'un artiste célèbre, a été strictement limitée à 325 exemplaires sur grand vélin d'Arches à la forme. N° 1. Exemplaire unique sur Japon impérial, comprenant l'état définitif en couleurs des I2 eaux-fortes, une suite en noir avec remarques un cuivre et les 12 dessins originaux. Nos 2 et 3 sur Japon impérial, comprenant l'état définitif en couleurs des 12 eaux-fortes, une suite en noir avec remarques et un dessin de l'artiste. Nos 4 à 12 sur grand vélin d'Arches à la forme, comprenant l'état définitif en couleurs des I2 eaux-fortes, une suite en noir avec remarques un cuivre et un dessin de l'artiste. Nos 13 à 50 sur grand vélin d'Arches à la forme comprenant l'état définitif en couleurs des 12 eaux-fortes et suite en noir avec remarques. Nos 51 à 325 sur grand vélin d'Arches à la forme avec l'état définitif en couleurs des 12 eaux-fortes. Catalogue raisonné: Dutel III № 1697, p. 199. Contributors: Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (French, 1740 – 1814) – author. Schem [real name Raoul Serres] (French, 1881– 1971) – artist. -
NEWHardcover volume 287 x 237 mm, bound by San Remo (signed) in red full straight-grained morocco, boards decorated with a frame of gilt and blind-stamped fillets with fleurons in the corners, spine with faux raised bands, gilt in compartments snd gilt lettering, top edge gilt, other untrimmed; pastedown with grey percaline in a red morocco frame with gilt fillet, grey percaline free endpaper; publisher’s original wrappers preserved and bound in, printed on wove paper with “Johannot” watermark. Collation: 4 fly leaves, 1st with the previous owner’s ‘EXLIBRIS JEAN PERISSE’ imprint, front wrapper, blank, h.t., t.p., pp. 1-161 [162], blank, plus 17 full-page and 2 in-text hand-coloured etchings, incl. frontispiece, A propos / Louis Icart fac-simile to verso, 6 leaves of cancelled plates, colophon, blank, rear wrapper, spine, 3 fly leaves. Title-page (red and black): PROSPER JOLYOT DE CRÉBILLON | LA | NUIT | ET LE | MOMENT | imagé de vingt-cinq eaux-fortes originales, en couleurs, | par | LOUIS ICART | {fleuron} | GEORGES GUILLOT, ÉDITEUR | 7, RUE PERRONET | PARIS || Colophon: La nuit et le moment de Prosper de Crébillon, réalisé par les éditions d'art Georges Guillot, est image de vingt-cinq eaux-fortes originales en couleurs, dont cinq en suite libre, gravées par Louis Icart. — Son tirage a été limité a 525 exemplaires, a savoir : un exemplaire unique sur Japon Super Nacré portant le n° 1, comprenant trois dessins originaux, une suite sur chine avec trois états des eaux-fortes, les gravures dans leur état définitif et un cuivre encré. — Quinze exemplaires sur Japon Impérial numérotés de 2 a 16, et neuf sur Japon Ivoire numérotés de 17 a 25, comprenant un dessin original, deux états des eaux-fortes, les gravures dans leur état définitif et un cuivre encré. — cent exemplaires sur Rives a la Forme numérotés de 26 a 125, comprenant un dessin original, une suite sanguine et les gravures dans leur état définitif. — Cent-cinquante exemplaires sur Arches a la Forme numérotés de 126 a 275, comprenant les eaux-fortes dans leur état définitif en couleurs. — Deux-cents cinquante exemplaires sur Johannot a la Forme numérotés de 276 a 525, comprenant les eaux-fortes dans leur état définitif en couleurs. — Quinze exemplaires sur différents papiers, comprenant les eaux-fortes dans leur état définitif en couleurs, réservés a l'artiste et a l'éditeur, dénommés exemplaires d'artiste et numérotés de I a XV. — Cette édition a été achevé d'imprimer a paris. Pour la typographie, sur les presses de Pierre Gaudin ; et pour les eaux-fortes, dans les ateliers en taille-douce de Manuel Robbe, le 30 avril 1946. Limitation: Print-run on April 30, 1946, limited to 525 copies plus 15 copies reserved for artist and publisher (I-XV); copies №№ 276-525 on Johannot paper, of which this is copy № 367. Catalogue raisonné: honesterotica.com; William R. Holland pp. 133-147. Contributors: Claude-Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon [Crébillon fils] (French, 1707 – 1777) – author. Louis Icart (French, 1888 – 1950) – artist. Georges Guillot (French) – publisher. Pierre Gaudin – printer/text. Ateliers en taille-douce de Manuel Robbe (French, 1872 – 1936) – printer/plates. Jean Périssé (French, b. 1947) – provenance. -
NEWHardcover volume 343 x 268 mm, binding by Grimm et Bleicher (Munich) in red cloth with author’s gilt fac-simile to front and gilt lettering to spine, in matching red cloth slipcase, pink endpapers, pp. [1-6] 7-13 [14] [82] (i.e. 48 leaves) with 84 photomechanically reproduced drawings after Leonor Fini. A copy of an unlimited print run. Title-page: Léonor Fini | Les Merveilles de | la Nature || Colophon: JEAN-JACQUES PAUVERT, 8, rue de Nesle, PARIS-VI. © 1971 Editions Kurt Desch GmbH, Munich. Tous droits réservés, y compris ceux de reproductions partielles et de reproductions photomécaniques. Papier des Papeteries Scheufelen, Oberlenningen. Mise en page et impression des entreprises graphiques R. Oldenbourg, Munich. Reliure conçue par Christel Aumann, Munich, et réalisée par Grimm et Bleicher, Munich. Imprimé en Allemagne, 1971. Il a été tiré, spécialement pour Jean-Jacques Pauvert et la Librairie du Palimugre, cent exemplaires numérotés de 1 à 100 contenant une gravure originale de Léonor Fini. Reference: www.honesterotica.com Contributors: Leonor Fini (French, 1907 – 1996) – artist. Severo Sarduy (Cuban, 1937 – 1993) – author/poetry. Jean-Jacques Pauvert (French, 1926 – 2014) – publisher. Kurt Desch (German, 1903 – 1984) – publisher. -
NEWHardcover volume 257 x 172 mm in a suede slipcase 264 x 175 mm, bound by Ateliers Babouot in yellow morocco, front board gilt-stamped with frames and borders, flat spine with gilt in compartments, brown label lettered in gilt, grey moire endpapers, yellow paper faux-titles, pp. [i-v] vi-x [xi] [3] [2] 1-531 [532] [4], i.e. 552 pp. total, profusely illustrated with full-page and in-text b/w and toned reproductions; top edge gilt. Title-page (gilt and black): DICTIONNAIRE | DES ŒUVRES | ÉROTIQUES | DOMAINE FRANÇAIS | PRÉFACE DE PASCAL PIA | {vignette} | MERCURE DE France || Imprint: Tous droits de reproduction, de traduction et d'adaptation réservés pour tous les pays. © MERCURE DE FRANCE, 1971. Colophon: Achevé d'imprimer le 11 octobre 1971 par Firmin-Didot Paris-Mesnil-Ivry sur couche job mat des papeteries Dujardin ; photogravure Haudressy-Ronan ; reliure de Babouot ; maquette de Gilbert Minazzoli et Virginia Silva. Imprint : № d'édition : 5398 – № d'impression : 6384; Dépôt légal : 4e trimestre 1971. Contributors: Pascal Pia [Pierre Durand] (French, 1903 – 1979) – author/compiler. -
NEWHardcover volume 211 x 141 mm, bound in quarter black buckram over green buckram boards, gilt lettering to spine, pictorial dust jacket with white lettering, ink inscriptions and paper clipping pasted to free endpaper, laid-in two newspaper clippings – January 26, 1970 and late 1950s; pp.: [1-10] [2] 3-342, plus 3 photo plates, extraneous to collation. 1st edition, 2nd printing, October 1953. Title-page: CARESSE CROSBY | THE | PASSIONATE | YEARS | {publisher’s device} | THE DIAL PRESS […] 1953 • NEW YORK || Imprint: Copyright, 1953, by Caresse Crosby | Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 52-10093 | FIRST PRINTING, MARCH 1953 | SECOND PRINTING, OCTOBER 1953 | DESIGNED BY WILLIAM R. MEINHARDT | PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY | THE HADDON CRAFTSMEN, SCRANTON, PA. Contributors: Caresse Crosby [Mary Phelps Jacob] (American, 1892 – 1970) – author. Haddon Craftsmen (Scranton, PA) – printer. The Dial Press – publisher (1923-85)honesterotica.com: Here is what Caresse wrote about May and Frans during their time together in interwar Paris, from the copy of her autobiography which she inscribed to them with the telling inscription ‘our most passionate years with you!’: ‘Frans de Geetere came to France dragging his barge behind him, and having manoeuvered the dikes of Holland and the frontiers of Belgium and the northern waterways of France, he strode into Paris one summer evening towing his dwelling with May den Engelsen, his timid blonde bride atop of it – he on the footpath, a stout rope about his lean and muscular middle. At twenty-one with the sunburned torso, a crest of wild black curls, and snapping black eyes, Frans was a storybook character, and May, his Netherlands wife, was as frail and honey-golden as some princesse lointaine. There were two tortoiseshell kittens aboard and a hold stuffed with paintings of flowers and nudes in profusion, for Frans had come to Paris for Art’s sweet sake, not to study because he was already confident and bold, but to compete in the marketplace with the greatest artists of the day.’
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NEWSoftcover volume 240 x 192 x 40 mm in publisher’s glossy wrappers with flaps, pp. [1-6] 7-576, profusely illustrated in b/w and colour, three language publications: French (7-393), English (395-469), Russian (470-551). 2nd edition; the 1st edition © Denoël, Paris, 2000 sous le titre « Peintres juifs à Paris, École de Paris, 1905-1939 ». ISBN 978-2-7572-0701-7. Title-page: NIESZAWER & PRINC | ARTISTES JUIFS | DE L'ÉCOLE DE PARIS | 1905-1939 | JEWISH ARTISTS | OF THE SCHOOL OF PARIS | ЕВРЕЙСКИЕ ХУДОЖНИКИ | ПАРИЖСКОЙ ШКОЛЫ | Sous la direction de | Nadine Nieszawer | Expert de l'École de Paris 1905-1939 | Deborah Princ – Arthur Princ – Boris Princ | Marie Boyé Taillan – Paul Fogel | Traduction du français vers l'anglais | Deborah Princ | Traduction du français vers le russe | Oleg Semenov | PRÉFACE | PREFACE | ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ | Claude Lanzmann | SOMOGY | ÉDITIONS | D'ART || -
NEWHardcover volume 175 x 131 mm bound in red half-morocco over marbled boards, spine with faux raised bands with gilt lettering, marbled endpapers, 3 laid paper fly leaves in the front and 3 in the rear, publisher’s original wrappers preserved, pp.: [6] 1-302 [2], collated 18mo: π3 1-1518 178, i.e. 155 leaves incl. front and back wrappers and 10 photogravures after Martin Van Maële (pp. 21, 55, 81, 97, 133, 153, 197,226, 259 et 295), within collation; front wrapper with van Maële's vignette, signed. Title-page (red and black): AIMÉ VAN ROD | Nos Belles | Flagellantes | Orné de 10 Dessins | hors texte de Martin VAN MAËLE | PARIS | ÉDITION PARISIENNE | (sticker) 9, Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, 9 | 1907 || Colophon: SAINT-AMAND (CHER). — IMPRIMERIE BUSSIÈRE. Catalogue raisonné: S. A. Perry (2015) № 44, p. 43; Luc Binet № 61, pp. 212-218; ibid. № 132, p. 850. Contributors: Van Rod, Aimé (fr. rod-lover) – anonymous writers collective on whipping. Maurice François Alfred Martin van Maële [Martin van Maële] (French, 1863 – 1926) – artist. Dardaillon, Jules (French, 1859-19..) and Mme Roberts – publishers. Carrington, Charles (British, 1867 – 1921) – publisher. -
NEWSoftcover volume 330 x 255 mm, cream French flapped wrappers with crimson lettering to front in glassine dust cover housed in gilt ivy-diapered 340 x 265 mm clamshell box with full-length label to vertical side, text and 18 in-text colour lithographs printed on 18 quarto unbound gatherings of thick paper watermarked BFK Rives, plus 10 full-page colour lithographs, hand-painted with watercolours. Copy enriched with an autographed dedication to half-title and a suite of the 18 in-text b/w (uncoloured) lithographs on Pur Fil Marais paper. The print run on November 22, 1948, limited edition of 350 copies, 40 copies on vélin de Rives paper, of which this is copy № 67. Title-page (red and black): PIERRE HAREL-DARC | QUAND ON PARLE | D'AMOUR | ou | Le Vrai Dialogue Sentimental | ILLUSTRATIONS DE | JEAN-GABRIEL DOMERGUE | {fleuron} | COLLECTION DU LIERRE | PARIS | 1948 || Colophon: Ce livre composé en caractères Garamond Corps dix-huit a été achevé d'imprimer le 22 novembre 1948 par Georges Girard pour la typographie, Maurice Beaudet pour la lithographie et « le coloris» pour les aquarelles le tirage se limite à trois cent cinquante exemplaires se décomposant comme suit : Dix exemplaires sur vélin de Rives avec suites en couleurs et une aquarelle numérotés de 1 a 10 ; Vingt exemplaires sur vélin de Rives avec suites en couleurs et un dessin, numérotes de 11 a 30 ; Quarante exemplaires sur vélin de Rives avec une suite en noir, numérotes de 31 a 70 ; Deux cent quatre-vingts exemplaires sur vélin Pur Fil du Marais, numérotés de 71 a 350 ; quelques exemplaires hors commerce ont été réservés a l'auteur, a l'illustrateur, a l'éditeur et a ses amis. Exemplaire 67. Contributors: Pierre Maurice Harel [Harel-Darc] (French, 1890 – 1965) – author Jean-Gabriel Domergue (French, 1889 – 1962) Georges Girard (French, 20th century) – printer/text Maurice Beaudet (French, 20th century) – printer/lithography -
NEWHalf-bound green over grey cloth flapped folder 530 x 370 mm with laces, 3 in-folio folded leaves with text (6 pages) and drawn title-page plus 30 colour offset lithographs 510 x 350 mm after Marcel Vertès. Print run limited to 331 copies with 278 on Sirène, of which this is copy № 51. Title-page: VERTÈS | Nous les Abstraits | Préface de | Roger Peyrefitte || Imprint: © 1960 BY ÉDITIONS LÉDA, 36, RUE ÉTIENNE-MARCEL, PARIS 2° || Colophon: ACHEVÉ D'IMPRIMER | LE 18 AVRIL 1960 |PAR | JACQUES LONDON, IMPRIMEUR | POUR LA PRÉFACE | ET | RENÉ GUILLARD | POUR LES LITHOGRAPHIES || Limitation: CET OUVRAGE A ÉTÉ TIRÉ A 331 EXEMPLAIRES | DONT : UN EXEMPLAIRE UNIQUE COMPORTANT TROIS DESSINS | ORIGINAUX ET DEUX DESSINS ORIGINAUX REFUSÉS, LA | SUITE COMPLÈTE DES PLANCHES AQUARELLÉES A LA | MAIN PAR L'ARTISTE ET QUINZE CROQUIS ORIGINAUX | DE PRÉPARATION. (EXEMPLAIRE NUMÉROTÉ UN.) | 5 EXEMPLAIRES SUR VÉLIN D'ARCHES COMPORTANT | DEUX DESSINS ORIGINAUX ET UN DESSIN ORIGINAL | REFUSÉ, TROIS PLANCHES AQUARELLÉES A LA MAIN, DEUX | PLANCHES REFUSÉES ET CINQ CROQUIS ORIGINAUX, | NUMÉROTÉS DE 2 A 6. | 17 EXEMPLAIRES SUR VÉLIN D'ARCHES COMPORTANT UN | DESSIN ORIGINAL, UNE PLANCHE REFUSÉE ET UN CROQUIS | ORIGINAL, NUMÉROTÉS DE 7 A 23. | 278 EXEMPLAIRES SUR OFFSET SIRÈNE, NUMÉROTÉS DE 24 A 301 | 30 | EXEMPLAIRES HORS COMMERCE NUMÉROTÉS H.C. I | A H.C. XXX. 51 || Marcel Vertès [Marcell Vértes] (Jewish-Hungarian-French, 1895 – 1961) – artist/author Pierre Roger Peyrefitte (French, 1907 – 2000) – author/preface. Imprimerie London (Paris); Jacques [Jankiel] London (Jewish-Ukrainian-French, 1910 – 2011) – printer/text. René Guillard (French, 1889 – after 1961) – printer/lithographs. -
NEWTwo hardcover volumes 280 x 210 mm each, collated in-4to, with continuous pagination, total number of pages 431, uniformly bound by Pierre Ouvrard in ¾ morocco over marbled boards, spines are decorated with floral designs and gilt-lettered labels; floral diaper endpapers, top margin gilt; profusely illustrated in b/w and dual-tone. Limited edition of 1060 numbered copies with №№ 1-60 printed on wove paper (papeir Japon) and №№ 61-1060 on wove paper (papier vélin), of which this is copy № 138. Vol. 1: blue binding, original pictorial wrappers (colour woodcut) bound in; collation π4 a2 1-344: [2] h.t., [2] pictorial t.p., [i-iii] iv-vi, [1] 2-268. Engraved title-page by Leon Rudnicki, in red and black, in a frame: L'ART | DANS LA DECORATION EXTERIEURE DES LIVRES | en France et à L'Étranger | Les Couvertures illustrées | les Cartonnages d'Éditeurs | la Reliure d'Art | par | OCTAVE USANNE | {vignette} | Paris | Société Française d'Éditions d'Art | L-Henry May | 9 et 11 Rue Saint-Benoit 9 et 11 | 1898 || Imprint: Exemplaire N° 138. | IL A ÉTÉ TIRÉ DE CETTE ÉDITION | Mille Exemplaires SUR PAPIER VÉLIN | NUMÉROTÉS DE 61 A 1060 | ET | Soixante Exemplaires SUR JAPON | NUMÉROTÉS DE 1 A 60. ||Frontispice, en deux tons, de RICHARD WALLACE; Tire, Ornements, Tétes de Chapitres et Culs-de-lampe de Léon RUDNICKI.
Vol. 2: brown binding; collation: one ffl, 64 leaves of plates printed on both sides, unpaginated, then [269] 270-272 [4] two ffls. Colophon: CE LIVRE | a été achevé d'imprimer | SUR LES PRESSES TYPOGRAPHIQUES | DE LA MAISON LAHURE | à Paris | {vignette} | Le vingt-cing Novembre | 1897 | PAR LES SOINS DE L'AUTEUR |POUR | LA SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE D'ÉDITION D'ART | L.-H. MAY, ÉDITEUR || Contributors: Octave Uzanne (French, 1851 – 1931) – author/compiler. L.-Henry-May (French, late 19th century) – publisher. Société française d'éditions d'art (Paris) – publisher. Léon Rudnicki (French, 1831 – 1958) – engraver/artist. Louis Rhead (British-American, 1857 – 1926) Pierre Ouvrard (Canadian, 1929 – 2008) – bookbinder. -
NEWHardcover volume 257 x 180 mm housed in marbled slipcase 265 x 180 mm with opening outlined in brown morocco, binding by René Kieffer in brown morocco, mosaic vignette in gilt and colours stamped to front and gilt vignette to rear board, spine with raised bands and gilt lettering, gilt corners and fillets, gilt bookbinder signature inside, bookbinder’s ticket to flyleaf verso, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt; printed on thick wove paper produced by Perrigot-Masure; nine coloured etchings and 45 woodcuts after C. Picart le Doux; original woodcut pictorial wrappers preserved, [1-6] 7-67 [4] plus nine plates; enriched with a suite of uncoloured etchings in two states and a suite of woodcuts in ochre. Limitation: The edition is limited to 100 copies, printed on October 20, 1909, at Imprimerie de l'Art Décoratif. This copy was printed for Mademoiselle E. Kieffer. Title-page (brown and black): ALBERT SAMAIN | HYALIS | Le petit Faune aux yeux bleus | eaux fortes et bois gravés originaux | de C•PICART•LE•DOUX | {woodcut vignette} | COLLECTION•ECLECTIQUE | A•BLAIZOT | EDITEUR | 26•Rue le Peletier / RENÉ KIEFFER | RELIEUR D’ART | 47•R.St André des Arts / PARIS • 1909 || Imprint: TIRAGE UNIQUE | de cette édition de grand luxe | à 100 Exemplaires | contenant : | Trois états des eaux-fortes, dont l'eau-forte pure | et un tirage à part des bois | Exemplaire imprimé spécialement pour : | Mademoiselle E. KIEFFER | {woodcut vignette} || COLLABORATEURS | C. PICART LE Doux, Peintre-Graveur | ~ | E. DURAND, Directeur de l'Imprimerie Typographique | MAGORIEC, Compositeur | AYRAULT, Pressier | ~ | Eaux-fortes tirées par A. ROUTY | ~ | CARACTÈRES DE GIRALDON | fondus par la maison DEBERNY | ~ | Papiers à la forme de PERRIGOT-MASURE | ~ || Colophon: {woodcut vignette} | ACHEVÉ D'IMPRIMER | le 20 Octobre 1909 | par l'Imprimerie de l'Art Décoratif || Contributors: Albert Samain (French, 1858 – 1900) – author. Charles Alexandre Picart Le Doux (French, 1881 – 1959) – artist. René Kieffer (French, 1876 – 1963) – bookbinder. Auguste Blaizot (French, 1908 – 1941) – publisher. -
NEWAdvertisement, cover sheet from the album “Improvisations” — Artists Equity Fund, Inc. presents Spring Fantasia Masquerade Ball, May 15, 1953, Hotel Astor. Comb-spine bound pictorial album of 66 colour plates; Limited Edition of 2000 copies; chromolithography on wove paper 305 x 234 mm; marginal holes after plastic comb-spine binding. Recto: Improvisations | ARTISTS EQUITY | MASQUERADE | BALL | 1953 | may 15 | HOTEL ASTOR | Vertès || Verso: “SCHENLEY | DISTRIBUTORS, INC | 350 – 5 AVE NYC. | A. Refregier || Reference: Laster's Fine Art & Antiques; The Cary Collection. Contributors: Marcel Vertès [Marcell Vértes] (Jewish-Hungarian-French, 1895 – 1961) Anton Refregier (Russian-American, 1905 – 1979) Bertram A. Goodman (American, 1904 – 1988) -
NEWIn red cartouche: Famous places in Bushū and Kanagawa (Bushū Kanagawa meisho) [武州神奈河名昕] In yellow striped square: Gankirō in Yokohama (Yokohama Gankirō) [横濱巌亀楼] / new spelling 横浜岩亀楼. The three kanji [岩亀楼] (Gankirō) are also visible on the sign or lantern above the food tray, carried on the head by a man on the left. Gankirō – the largest 'tea house' (brothel) for foreigners in the Miyozaki pleasure quarters, similar to those in Yoshiwara, in Edo. Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige II [二代目 歌川広重] (Japanese, 1826 – 1869) – a son-in-law of Andō Hiroshige. Signature: Hiroshige ga [廣重画] Dimensions: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 223 x 289 mm. Combined date/censor seal: monkey (saru - 申) and kiwame (極), 1860. Publisher: Yama-Ta; seal: [板元, 太] – Hanmoto, Ta; Marks 19-044 | U421b: An unknown publisher in Edo, fl. c. 1815-61. Another Hiroshige II's print with the same subject and even the same characters, but in 3rd month, 1859: Entrance to the Gankirō Tea House in the Miyozaki District, Yokohama, Bushu (Bushu Yokohama Gankirō) [諸国名所百景 武州横浜岩亀楼]. Utagawa Yoshikazu's [歌川芳員] depiction of the place in c. 1861 from the inside:[Thanks to Horst Graebner].
Foreigners Enjoying Themselves in the Gankirō. MET JP3264.
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NEWTitle: Flower calendar for the famous cherry blossoms (Hana goyomi meisho sakura) [花暦名所櫻]. A scene from an imaginary (mitate) kabuki play. Names of the characters (left to right): Kiyomizu/Shimizu Seigen [清水清玄]; Yakko (footman) Yodohei [奴淀平]; koshimoto (court lady) [こしもと]; Sakura hime (princess) [桜姫]. The same characters appear in a few real kabuki plays. Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige [歌川 広重] a.k.a. Andō Hiroshige [安藤 広重] (Japanese, 1797 – 1858) Signature: Hiroshige ga [廣重画] Dimensions: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 232 x 295 mm. Censor seal: "Mura" [村] for Murata Sahei [村田佐兵衛], used from VI/1842 to V/1846 (Tenpō 13 – Kōka 3). Publisher: Enshūya Matabei [遠州屋又兵衛] (Enterprise, active c. 1768 – 1881); seal: "To" (ト) (Marks 01-031 | 057a). [Thanks to Horst Graebner]. -
NEWTitle: The Secret Meeting between Ushiwakamaru and the Daughter of Kiichi Hōgen (Kiichi Hōgen ga hisho o miro) [鬼一法眼が秘書をみる] Series: Scenes from the life of Ushiwaka (Ushiwaka zue) [牛若図会] Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige [歌川 広重] a.k.a. Andō Hiroshige [安藤 広重] (Japanese, 1797 – 1858) Signature: Hiroshige ga [廣重画] Dimensions: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 226 x 303 mm. Censor seal: Hama & Magome [濱 / 馬込]: 1/1849 – 2/1852 (Kaei 2-5) Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. C. 1845 – 1847), seal: San [三] (Marks 11-001 | 127c). According to Rupert Faulkner (2001), another copy of this fan print is housed at Ōta Memorial Museum (ŌMM 1998, № 258). There are four other known prints from this series: (1) The Meeting at Yahagi: The Beginnings of the Jorurijunidan Story (Yahagi no Shuku Jorurijunidan no Hajime); (2) Ushiwakamaru practising swordsmanship at Sojogatani (ŌMM 1998, no.256); (3) Ushiwakamaru's encounter with Benkei on Gojo Bridge (Matsuki 1924, no.93); and (4) Ise no Saburo swearing an oath of loyalty to Ushiwakamaru (Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History). Kiichi Hōgen [鬼一法眼] is a legendary monk and warrior who trained Ushiwakamaru (young Minamoto no Yoshitsune) in swordsmanship, tactics, and magic.Another print (Ushiwakamaru's encounter with Benkei on Gojo Bridge) from this series is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago under the title Killing One Thousand People at Gojo Bridge (Gojo no hashi sennin kiri).
Rupert Faulkner (2001)
Reference: (1) Rupert Faulkner. Hiroshige Fan Prints / Victoria and Albert Museum, Far Eastern Series. — London: V&A Publications; NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2001. (2) Christophe Marquet. Hiroshige: Les éventails d'Edo / Estampes de la collection Georges Leskowicz. — Paris: In fine, 2022. [Thanks to Horst Graebner].
AIC Reference Number 1925.3802
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NEWTitle: The Great Waterfall at the Twelve Shrines of Tsunohazu (Tsunohazu juniso otaki) [角筈十二社大滝] from an untitled set of views of famous places in Edo. Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige II [二代目 歌川広重] (Japanese, 1826 – 1869) – a son-in-law of Andō Hiroshige. Signature: Hiroshige ga [廣重画] Dimensions: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 226 x 291 mm. Combined date/censor seal: tori, 酉 / kiwame 極 – 1861 (Man'en 2 / Bunkyū 1 from 19/II). Publisher: Yama-Ta; seal: [板元, 太] – Hanmoto, Ta; Marks 19-044 | U421b: An unknown publisher in Edo, fl. c. 1815-61. Provenance: Collection of Maroni, Albert (French, 1852 – 1923), red stamp in the bottom-left corner. Reference: [LIB-3429.2025] Christie’s, New York: Japanese Art, Thursday 24 April 1997 / Sales Catalogue; lot № 312.An aizuri-e (blue print) on a popular topic, many times depicted by Andō Hiroshige and Hiroshige II, including the below print by the latter No. 45, the Twelve Kumano Shrines at Tsunohazu (Tsunohazu Kumano jûnisha), from the series Forty-Eight Famous Views of Edo (Edo meisho yonjûhakkei)「江戸名所四十八景 四十五 角筈熊野十二社」
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NEWArtist: Katsukawa Shun'ei [勝川 春英] (Japanese, 1762 – 1819) Signature: Shun'ei ga [春英画] Dimensions: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 230 x 268 mm. Censor seal: absent (probably because before 1810). Publisher: Iseya Sōemon – 板元,上, Marks 21-216|156g: Hanmoto, Ue. A blue seal in the middle of the print. -
NEWSeries: Moon and sun shells for tomobiki (Tsukihigai ataru tomobiki) [月日貝あたるともびき] – hiragana inscription in the red cartouche. According to Kuniyoshi Project, Tomobiki (友引) is a fortuitous day for conducting business. There are also other meanings of the same notion of 友引. Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi [歌川 國芳] (1798 – 1861). Signed: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga [一勇斎 國芳戯画] (drawn by Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi) in a red double-gourd cartouche with a kiri-mon seal beneath. Publisher: Ibaya Kyūbei [伊場屋久兵衛] (Japanese, 1804 – 1851); seal [板元,久] – Hanmoto, Kyū; Marks 19-040|126e. Single nanushi censor seal: Mura [村] = Murata Sahei [村田佐右衛] (VI/1842 – V/1846). This series has five more known prints; some have Tanaka [田中] censor seal (I/1844–II/1845). Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e, 団扇絵), 230 x 297 mm. -
NEWSeries: The taste of the new type of woman (Shingata bijin konomi) [志んかた美人好]. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Kōchōrō Kunisada ga [香朝楼國貞画] in a red double-gourd cartouche. No publisher seal. No censor/date seal. Media: Untrimmed fan print (Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e), 228 x 302 mm. -
NEWHalf-length portrait of a beautiful young woman wearing a chrysanthemum-patterned green kimono, face directed 3/4 to the right, holding her hands together and fingers spread, arranging the hairpins in her elaborate hairdo; garments of different colours and pattern designs on the background. Series: The taste of the new type of woman (Shingata bijin konomi) [新形美人好]. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Kōchōrō Kunisada ga [香朝楼國貞画] in a yellow double-gourd cartouche. No publisher seal. No censor/date seal. Media: Untrimmed fan print (Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e), 228 x 305 mm. -
NEWIchikawa Danjūrō VII [市川団十郎] and Iwai Kumesaburō II [岩井粂三郎] as Kinugawa Iemon [絹川伊右衛門] and Tōfuya Kasane [とうふやヶさね], resp., in kabuki play Banzei okuni kabuki [万歳阿国歌舞妓], performed at Ichimura Theatre [市村座] on March, 21, 1827. References: Kunisada Project; Waseda University. Ichikawa Danjūrō VII [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1791 – 1859); other names: Ichikawa Ebizō V, Ichikawa Hakuen II, Ichikawa Shinnosuke I. Iwai Hanshirō VI [[岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1799 – 1836); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Kumesaburō II, Iwai Hisajirō I, Baiga (poetry name), Shūka (poetry name). Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga [五渡亭國貞画]. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. 1790s-1860s). Date seal and aratame seal: boar (亥), Bunsei 10 – 1827. Untrimmed fan print (aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e), 235 x 270 mm. Ichimura-za Kabuki Playbill (Tsuji banzuke): -
NEWRigid uchiwa fan, ink and colour on paper. Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII in a crimson red robe, on his knees in a ceremonial bowing position to the audience during a formal stage announcement before the performance (Kojo, 口上). The fan has been used, dismounted from the frame, and laid onto Japanese paper, hence the rib marks. Painted c. 1850. Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1823 – 1854); other names: Ichikawa Ebizō VI, Ichikawa Shinnosuke II. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Toyokuni hitsu [豊国筆] with red toshidama seal. Dimensions: 280 x 325 mm Reference: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII by Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳, 1855. -
NEWHardcover volume 290 x 225 mm, bound in blue cloth with red lettering to front and spine, pictorial endpapers, in glossy black pictorial dust jacket, pp.: [1-7] 8-126 [2], profusely illustrated in colour. Title-page: GERARD INGOLD | Les boules | presse-papiers | et les sulfures | DES CRISTALLERIES | DE SAINT LOUIS | {publisher’s device Hermé} || Author: Ingold, Gerard (French, 1922 – 2011) -
NEWPaperback volume with quarter red cloth backing 257 x 185 mm, black lettering in English and Japanese to front, red seals fac-simile to front and back; pp. [6] 1-6, 2-6 plates verso only, 7-26 [4] 1-66 [2] 7-88 plates verso only [2], some plates in colour with captioned tissue guards, incl. frontispiece memorial portrait of Utagawa Hiroshige [歌川 広重] a.k.a. Andō Hiroshige [安藤 広重] (Japanese, 1797 – 1858). Limited edition of 275 copies, this is copy № 254. Title-page: CATALOGUE | OF | THE MEMORIAL EXHIBITION | OF | HIROSHIGE'S WORKS | on the 60th Anniversary of His Death. | {red diamond} | Compiled and Published | BY | S. WATANABE. | (Ukiyoye Association) | TOKYO. | 1918. || Author: Shōzaburō Watanabe [渡辺 庄三郎] (Japanese, 1885 – 1962) Five fan prints: № 173. REFLECTED MOON ON THE SUMIDA. № 174. TOTO SHINAGAWA NO KEI. Shinagawa Beach, Yedo. № 179. ZUSÕ HAKONEYAMA YAKO NO ZU. Night Ascent of Hakone Pass. Published by Dansendo. № 180. TSUKI NO SANKEI. Beauties in a boat enjoying evening cool at Ryōgoku, from Three Moonlight Scenes. Published by Dansendo. № 182. SUMIDAGAWA HASHIBA WATASHI VUKI NO KEI. A Ferry Boat at a Sumida River Landing in Snow. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Sadahide [歌川貞秀] (Japanese, 1807 – 1879). Signed: Gountei Sadahide ga [五雲亭貞秀画] (Picture by Gountei Sadahide). Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, c. 1815 – 1869); seal 三 in a circle Published: 1830s – no date seal, no censor seal (privately printed?) Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e, 団扇絵), 235 x 298 mm Inscriptions in kanji with furigana readings: Top right: "The Handy Type" (手があり相, te ga ari sō) – A composed woman adjusting her clothing. Bottom right: "Images of Manners" (風ぞくが, fūzokuga) – Possibly referring to depictions of etiquette or courtesan behaviour. The additional phrase 宵闇 (yoyami) 相 (sō) suggests a connection to nighttime activities. Centre: "The Proper Type" (きまり相, kimari sō) – A well-dressed woman seated elegantly, signifying a composed demeanour. Top left: Unclear reading (ほう☆し そう or ☆ほし そう) – Possibly related to 奉仕 (hōshi, "service" or "devotion"), implying attentiveness or subservience. Bottom left: "The Popular Type" (はやり相, hayari sō) – A fashionable woman wearing a partially veiled head covering, reflecting contemporary trends. Thanks to Horst Graebner. -
NEWAn uncut fan print depicting a carp (koi) swimming amid aquatic plants against a deep blue background. Artist: unknown/unsigned, possibly Katsushika Hokusai [葛飾 北斎] (Japanese, 1760 – 1849). Publisher: Enshūya Matabei [遠州屋又兵衛] (Japanese, fl. c. 1768 – 1881) Date: No date seal, no censor seal (privately printed?) Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e, 団扇絵), 224 x 290 mm. Similar subject:
Katsushika TAITO II (fl. c. 1810-53)
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NEWA half-length portrait of a woman seated in an interior, winding red thread, dressed in a richly decorated kimono featuring intricate floral motifs in blue, green, and brown hues with a red underlayer. Her elaborately styled hair is adorned with a yellow comb and multiple hairpins. To her left is a partially visible wooden chest of drawers, to which a piece of red paper bearing calligraphy is affixed. A puppet or doll dressed in a patterned kimono with a striking red-painted face rests on her lap or a surface before her.
An uncut fan print (aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e) entitled “Good tailoring” or “Good sewing [仕立ものよし] (shitate monoyoshi)” from the series "It’s an Auspicious Day to…" [最上吉日つくし] (Saijō [no] kichijitsu tsukushi).
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi [歌川 國芳] (Japanese, 1798 – 1861).
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi giga (一勇斎 國芳戯画, playfully drawn by Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi).
Publisher: Enshūya Matabei [遠州屋又兵衛] (Enterprise, active c. 1768 – 1881); seal: "to" (ト) under roof (Marks 01-031 | 057a). Nanushi seal Watari (渡) for Watanabe Shōemon, VI/1842-V 1c/1846. Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e, 団扇絵), 224 x 290 mm. Reference: (1) Kuniyoshi project; (2) Tokyo Museum Digital Archive [Thanks to Horst Greabner] -
NEWTitle: Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Sadanji I as Mannenya Kamei Tarō
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (Baido Kunimasa) [Japanese, 1848–1920]
Signature: Baidō Kunimasa hitsu (梅堂國政筆)
Actor: Ichikawa Sadanji I (市川左団次, also known as Ichikawa Shōjaku I, Ichikawa Koyone, Ichikawa Tatsuzō) [Japanese, 1842–1904]
Role: Mannenya Kamei Tarō (万年屋家名太郎)
Play: Unidentified
Publisher: Shimōsaya Masukichi (下総屋升吉)
Publisher’s Address: Asakusa, Kurofune-chō (浅草 黒舩)
Date: [明治十三年三月] Meiji 13 (1880), 3rd month
Medium: Uchiwa-e (団扇絵, fan print), ink and colour on paper, 245 × 282 mmThis uchiwa-e (fan print) by Utagawa Kunisada III (also known as Utagawa Kunimasa IV) portrays the kabuki actor Ichikawa Sadanji I in the role of Mannenya Kamei Tarō. The figure is depicted in a dramatic stance, dressed in a striking blue kimono adorned with fish and wave motifs, suggesting a maritime or festival connection. He carries a large basket supported by a fabric strap around his neck, filled with small toy fish attached to sticks, along with round objects that could be festival sweets or miniature decorations. He holds one of these toy fish-on-a-stick items in his right hand, possibly demonstrating it as part of a vendor's performance.
The background is a bold, deep red, contrasting with the detailed rendering of the actor’s expression and costume. The print was published in 1897 (Meiji 30) by Shimōsaya Masukichi, a publisher based in Asakusa, Kurofune-chō. Though the exact play remains unidentified, the composition captures a moment from a kabuki performance where street vendors and festival sellers were often featured as comic or supporting characters in Edo-period narratives.
This work exemplifies the continuation of traditional kabuki actor portraiture into the Meiji period, reflecting both theatrical culture and popular printmaking traditions at the time.
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NEWKabuki actor Iwai Hanshiro V, in the role of Shirai Gonpachi, stands under a willow tree (yanagi, 柳) to read a letter from the courtesan Komurasaki of the Miuraya [三浦屋小紫]. In this letter, Komurasaki laments their unfortunate love. This is a scene from the kabuki play The Floating World's Pattern and Matching Lightning Bolts (Ukiyozuka hiyoku no inazuma) [浮世柄比翼稲妻] written by Tsurya Namboku IV [鶴屋南北]; it was played for the first time in March 1823 at Ichimura Theatre [市村座] in Edo. This play was later divided into two individual pieces: Saya-ate [鞘当] and Fuwa [不破]. On the shoulders of the actor's garment is a character 井 in a circle — both names, Iwai 岩井 and Shirai 白井, use this character.
More information about the play and the real story behind it can be found at Lyon Collection. Actor: Iwai Hanshirō V [岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1776 – 1847); other names: Iwai Tojaku, Iwai Kumesaburō I. Role: Shirai Gonpachi [白井権八] Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [歌川豊国] (1769–1825). Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]. Publisher: Enshūya Matabei [遠州屋又兵衛] (Enterprise, active c. 1768 – 1881); seal: “to” (ト) under roof (Marks 01-031 | 057a). Date-aratame censor seal: 未改, Bunsei 6 (1823). Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e 団扇絵), 233 x 260 mm."Ukiyozuka Hiyoku no Inazuma" is a kabuki play in nine acts, written by Tsuruya Nanboku IV. It premiered in Bunsei 6 (1823) at the Ichimura-za theatre in Edo.
The play includes two particularly famous scenes:
- "Suzugamori no ba" (The Scene at Suzugamori), which portrays the episode of Banzuiin Chōbei and Shirai Gonpachi
- "Yoshiwara Nakanochō no ba" (The Scene at Yoshiwara Nakanochō), which depicts the story of Nagoya Sanza and Fuwa Banzaemon
These scenes have been frequently performed under the well-known titles "Gozonji Suzugamori" (A Well-Known Suzugamori) and "Sayaate" (The Scabbard Clash).
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NEWPeonies (Shakuyaku) [芍薬] Series: Flower-Colored Papers (Hana Shikishi) [花色紙] Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi [歌川 國芳] (Japanese, 1798–1861) Signature: Chō-ō-rō Kuniyoshi ga (朝櫻楼 國芳 画) Publisher: Kojimaya Jūbei [小島屋 十兵衛] (Japanese, 1797 – 1869); seal 十, Marks 06-014 | 264a Date/Censorship Approval: Nanushi seal Yoshimura (吉村) for Yoshimura Gentarō (吉村 源太郎), VI/1843–XI/1846. Medium: Rigid fan print (Aiban Yoko-e Uchiwa-e, 合判横絵 団扇絵), 222 x 284 mm.Interpretation of the Inscription in the Floral Cartouche
- 花色紙 (Hana Shikishi) – "Flower-Colored Paper" or "Decorative Shikishi Paper with Floral Motifs"
- 芍薬 (Shakuyaku) – "Peony", a flower symbolizing prosperity, beauty, and romance in Japanese culture
- 団扇絵 (Uchiwa-e) – "Round Fan Illustration" or "Picture on an Uchiwa (rigid fan)"
Description & Symbolic Analysis
This print, part of the Hana Shikishi (Flower-Colored Papers) series, depicts a woman washing a basin after brushing her teeth. She is positioned behind an indigo-colored folding screen, adorned with a repeating pattern of distant pines, presented in reverse printing technique (wyabori, 捺ぼり). The screen is a visual separator, adding depth and an intimate atmosphere to the scene. The woman is portrayed in a three-quarter view, facing left, her face delicately contoured. She is dressed in a safflower-dyed kimono (furisode, 振袖) featuring an asanoha (麻の葉, hemp leaf) shibori pattern, a motif often associated with purity and protection. Over this, she wears an outer garment decorated with an indigo bamboo motif, symbolizing strength and resilience. Additionally, the garment features:- Double gourd (瓢箪, hyōtan) symbolises longevity, fertility, and good fortune.
- Strips of paper resembling “next-morning letters” (kinuginu no fumi, 衣衣の文) – These evoke romantic correspondence or the written wishes of the Tanabata festival.
- Spools or reels of thread (chikiri, 糸巻き) – A motif reminiscent of Tanabata festival themes, often linked to the celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi. The phonetic pun with chigiri (契り, vow or romantic promise) reinforces themes of marriage, fate, and lifelong bonds.
Adornment & Hairstyling
Her elaborate hairstyle features a red hair tie (musubi, 結び), signifying youth and romantic allure. It is further adorned with:- Golden kogai (笄) – A decorative hairpin, often used by courtesans or high-ranking women.
- Tama kanzashi (玉簪) – A ball-tipped ornamental hairpin, reinforcing her refined status.
Objects in the Scene & Their Symbolism
The woman is holding a traditional Japanese toothbrush (fusa-yōji, ふさ楊枝) in her right hand, while pouring out water from the basin after brushing her teeth. This act symbolizes purity and preparation for intimacy. To her right, an ornate lacquered writing box (suzuribako, 硯箱) is placed near an inkstone (硯, suzuri). This object could also be interpreted as a dreamstone (梦石, mèng shí), a scholar’s object associated with nostalgia, love, or secret communication.Context in Ukiyo-e Tradition
Tooth brushing was uncommon in bijin-ga (美人画, "beautiful woman prints"). Ukiyo-e frequently depicted women engaging in personal grooming rituals, reflecting ideals of elegance and self-care in Edo-period culture.
Two additional fan prints from the Hana Shikishi series have been identified and can be found at the Kuniyoshi Project website:- Morning Glory (Asagao, 朝顔)
- Clematis (Tessen, 鉄線)
These prints, like Peonies (Shakuyaku), emphasize seasonal beauty and feminine refinement, themes central to Kuniyoshi’s bijin-ga oeuvre.
Morning Glory (Asagao, 朝顔)
Clematis (Tessen, 鉄線)
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貴] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豐国] (Japanese, 1786–1865)
Publisher: unknown (Ichi-To, 未詳); Marks 05-012 | U085a; seal (一、ト). Date-aratame seal: Bunsei 5 (文政五年, 1822). Media: Fan print (Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 合別横絵団扇絵); 234 × 264 mm. Actor: Matsumoto Kōshirō V [五代相本幸四郎] (Japanese, 1764–1838); other names: Ichikawa Komazō III [市川高麻蔵], Ichikawa Sumizō I [市川寿美蔵]. Role: Hanakawado no Sukeroku [花川戸の助六]. Play: Sukeroku sakura no futae obi [助六桜の二重帯].This bust-length portrait depicts kabuki actor Matsumoto Kōshirō V in the role of Hanakawado no Sukeroku under a vast umbrella, in a three-quarter view, facing right, with his fist firmly clenched, and with an expression of intensity and determination. His protuberant nose is accentuated, a defining feature of Matsumoto Kōshirō V. The actor wears a black outer robe adorned with stylized peonies (牡丹, botan), a floral motif symbolizing strength, nobility, and elegance—qualities that define both the Sukeroku character and Kōshirō V’s acting style. The print belongs to the yakusha-e (役者絵, "actor print") genre, celebrating kabuki stars of the Edo period. The artist's signature, publisher’s seal, and censor’s seal are written on the umbrella. Play Sukeroku sakura no futae obi was staged in March 1822 (Bunsei 5) at Kawarazaki Theater (歌川戸室) in Edo (Tokyo). In this version of the Sukeroku narrative, the protagonist is revealed to be Jirō Suketoshi of Kyoto [京の次郎祐俊], a nobleman in disguise. Like other Sukeroku adaptations, the story centres on themes of chivalry, revenge, and romantic rivalry in Edo’s pleasure quarters. Another Kunisada's portraits of Matsumoto Kōshirō V as Sukeroku, in Ōban format:
The History of Sukeroku in Kabuki Theater
The play Sukeroku (English title Sukeroku: Flower of Edo), originally titled Hana Yakata Aigo Zakura (花館愛護櫻), premiered in the 3rd lunar month of 1713 at Yamamuraza in Edo. The script was written by Tsuuchi Han'emon (津打半右衛門) under the guidance of Tsuuchi Jihē II (津打治兵衛, 1679–1760). The inaugural performance featured Ichikawa Danjūrō II as Sukeroku, Tamazawa Rin'ya as Agemaki, Ikushima Shingorô as the shirozake seller (白酒売り) Shinbē, and Yamanaka Heikurô I as Ikyū. Three years later, in 1716, Tsuuchi Jihē II revised the play, integrating it into the well-known Soga brothers' revenge tale. In this adaptation, Sukeroku, Agemaki, and Shinbē were revealed to be Soga Gorō Tokimune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shōshō, and Soga Jūrō Sukenari, respectively. This revised version was staged at Nakamuraza in the 2nd lunar month of 1716, with Ichikawa Danjūrō II reprising the role of Sukeroku, joined by Nakamura Takesaburô I (Agemaki), Mimasuya Sukejûrô I (Shinbē), Sodeoka Masanosuke II (Soga’s mother Mankō), and Ôtani Hiroemon I (Ikyū). Over time, Sukeroku became closely associated with the Ichikawa Danjūrō acting lineage, captivating Edo audiences and securing its place in the kabuki repertoire. Though traditionally performed by members of the Naritaya guild, the role of Sukeroku was occasionally played by actors from outside the Ichikawa family. The play was later staged under the title Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura for the first time in the 4th lunar month of 1782 at Ichimuraza, with Ichimura Uzaemon IX portraying the titular role. Comparison to Toyokuni I’s 1816 Print Kunisada’s portrait can be viewed as a homage to his mentor, Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代歌川豊国] (1769–1825), whose earlier 1816 bust-length portrait of Iwai Hanshirō V [岩井半四郎] as Sukeroku (published by Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎]) shares a similar composition and dramatic pose. While Matsumoto Kōshirō V’s portrayal (Kunisada, 1822) emphasizes power and masculinity through the peony motif, Iwai Hanshirō V’s 1816 version (Toyokuni I) reflects grace and refinement, featuring a kimono adorned with irises (菖蒲, shōbu)—a flower symbolizing purity and elegance. Additionally, the word shōbu (iris) is a homophone for 尚武, meaning "martial spirit", subtly reinforcing Sukeroku’s strength beneath his stylish exterior. These contrasts highlight the differences in kabuki acting styles—with Kōshirō V specializing in strong, heroic roles and Hanshirō V excelling in onnagata (female-role) performances. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825)
Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (c. 1776 – November 1862); Marks 02-041 | 156a
Date-Aratame Seal: Bunsei 1 (文政元年, 1818)
Media: Print (Yakusha-e, 役者絵); 223 x 250 mm
Actor: Bandō Mitsugorō III [三代目 坂東 三津五郎] (Japanese, 1775–1831); also known as Bandō Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirō II, Bandō Mitahachi I, Bandō Minosuke I, Bandō Mitahachi I.
Role: Anno Heiemon [安の平右衛門], also known as Anno Heibei [安の平兵衛].
Play: Shiire Zome Karigane Gomon [仕入染雁金五紋] (しいれぞめかりがねごもん), staged in May 1818 at Nakamuraza Theatre in Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
Bust-length, three-quarter-view portrait of actor Bandō Mitsugorō III as Anno Heibei, one of the gonin otoko [五人男]—a group of five chivalrous thieves. The actor is dressed in a red and purple robe, with a golden mon (family crest) on the shoulders, displaying the character 安 (An), which, in this case, represents the first ideogram in the name of his role. A shakuhachi (尺八), a traditional Japanese end-blown bamboo flute, is secured on his back.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825) Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]. Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (c. 1776 – November 1862); Marks 02-041 | 156a Date-Aratame Seal: 1819 (Bunsei 2, 文政二年) Media: Print (Yakusha-e, 役者絵); 221 x 253 mmActor: Ichikawa Danjūrō VII [七代目市川團十郎] (Japanese, 1791–1859); Other names: Ichikawa Ebizō V (五代目市川海老蔵), Ichikawa Hakuen II (二代目市川白猿), Ichikawa Shinnosuke I (初代市川新之助).
Role: Yushima no Sankichi (ゆしまの三吉) Play: Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome (梅柳若葉加賀染) Theater: Tamagawa-za (玉川座), Edo, May 1819 Bust-length, three-quarter-view portrait of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Yushima no Sankichi, in the play Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome, staged at Tamagawa-za in May 1819. The actor is depicted with his arms crossed over his chest, holding a pipe (kiseru, 煙管) in his right hand. The upper half of the background features a giant golden carp (鯉, koi), symbolizing Boys' Day (Tango no Sekku) (端午の節句), celebrated on May 5th each year. This print forms a pair with the portrait of Kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojō V as Kurenaiya Okan [SVJP-0440.2025], but no conclusive information is available regarding the relationship between their characters.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825) Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]. Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (c. 1776 – November 1862); Marks 02-041 | 156a Date-Aratame Seal: 1819 (Bunsei 2, 文政二年) Media: Print (Yakusha-e, 役者絵); 221 × 253 mm Play: Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome (梅柳若葉加賀染) Theater: Tamagawa-za (玉川座), Edo, May 1819 Role: Kurenaiya Okan (紅屋おかん) Actor: Segawa Kikunojō V [瀬川菊之丞] (Japanese, 1802–1832); Other name: Segawa Tamon I (瀬川多聞初代) Bust-length, three-quarter-view portrait of Segawa Kikunojō V as Kurenaiya Okan in the play Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome, staged at Tamagawa-za in May 1819. The male actor Segawa Kikunojō V performs an onnagata role, portraying a courtesan. She is depicted adjusting her elaborate shimadamage-style coiffure, fixing a kanzashi (簪, hairpin) while holding onkotogami (御懲紙, tissue paper) in her mouth. The onkotogami was traditionally used for intimate hygiene, suggesting that the scene represents a moment after encountering a client. Her inner kimono is safflower-dyed and has a hemp leaf pattern (麻の葉, asa no ha). The top half of the background features a giant golden carp (鯉, koi), a recurring motif in this pair of prints often associated with strength, perseverance, and kabuki’s aragoto style. This print forms a pair with the portrait of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Yushima no Sankichi [SVJP-0439.2025], but no conclusive information is available regarding the relationship between their characters. The carp also alludes to Boys' Day (Tango no Sekku, 端午の節句), celebrated on May 5th each year. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825) Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画] Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (c. 1776 – November 1862); Marks 02-041 | 156a Gyōji Aratame Censor Seal: 行事改, 1810-18151 Media: Print (Uchiwa-e, うちわ絵, fan print), kira-zuri (きら摺り, mica printing); 222 × 250 mmActor: Onoe Baikō III [三代目尾上梅幸] (Japanese, 1784–1849); Other names: Onoe Kikugorō III (尾上菊五郎), Ōkawa Hashizō I (大川橋蔵初代), Onoe Matsusuke II (二代目尾上松助), Onoe Eizaburō I (初代尾上栄三郎)
Role: Konjin Chōgorō (金神長五郎) Play: Ku Kyōdai Shōbu Katabira (句兄弟菖蒲帷子) Theater: Nakamura-za (中村座), Edo, 1815 Half-length, three-quarter-view, facing to the left portrait of Onoe Baikō III as Konjin Chōgorō, in the play Ku Kyōdai Shōbu Katabira, staged at Nakamura-za in 1815. The actor wears a purple kimono with a plum blossom motif (梅, ume).A print from the Waseda University Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum also depicts Onoe Baikō III as Konjin Chōgorō, showing him holding a box inscribed with 神金 (Kane no Kami). The name Konjin consists of the same kanji reading right to left (金神).
Konjin Chōgorō is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore, renowned as a formidable sumo wrestler. His tales often depict him engaging in supernatural feats, such as vanquishing demons and showcasing extraordinary strength.
In the realm of kabuki theatre, Konjin Chōgorō's character has been portrayed in various plays, though specific details about Ku Kyōdai Shōbu Katabira (句兄弟菖蒲帷子) remain unknown.
Notes
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A certain confusion regarding the attribution of this print arises from the statement by Andreas Marks (Publishers, 2011, p. 488), which asserts that the gyōji aratame seal was used exclusively for fan prints between 1810 and 1814. However, it is known that Onoe Baikō III performed the role of Konjin Chōgorō at Nakamura-za in the 5th month of 1815. Marks also notes that the earliest known fan print bearing this seal dates to 1810; based on this new evidence, we may now consider the latest known instance to be the 5th month of 1815.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825)
Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]
Publisher: Kojimaya Jūbei [小嶋屋重兵衛] (Japanese, c. 1797–1869); seal [十]; Marks 06-014 | 264a
Date-Aratame Seal: 1822 (Bunsei 5, 文政五年)
Media: Print (Uchiwa-e, うちわ絵, fan print); 223 × 250 mm
Actor: Onoe Kikugorō III [三代目 尾上菊五郎] (Japanese, 1784–1849); other names: Onoe Baikō III (尾上梅幸), Ōkawa Hashizō I (大川橋蔵初代), Onoe Matsusuke II (二代目尾上松助), Onoe Eizaburō I (初代尾上栄三郎)
Half-length, three-quarter-view portrait of Onoe Kikugorō III, depicted without stage makeup. The actor wears a kimono patterned with plum blossoms (梅, ume), symbolising perseverance and longevity. A neck scarf with a 格子 (kōshi) pattern is visible, and he holds a folding fan (扇, ōgi) decorated with chrysanthemums (菊, kiku).
Above his head is the Onoe family crest (mon), embracing oak leaves on layered fans. This emblem, known as the crest of the Otowaya line, commemorates a shogunal gift of rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves, placed on a fan, and presented to Onoe Kikugorō I.
The background features a radiating red-line pattern, possibly representing the bamboo structure of an uchiwa fan. The absence of kumadori (歌舞伎隈取, kabuki makeup) suggests that the actor is not portrayed in a specific role.
In 1822, Onoe Kikugorō III performed at Kawarazaki-za before month 11 and at Ichimura-za and Nakamura-za afterwards.
The print has been backed for preservation with a sheet of paper featuring calligraphy, likely contemporary to the print itself. The backing paper appears to have been repurposed, a common historical practice in the Edo period, where discarded documents or manuscripts were reused to reinforce delicate prints.
Kunisada portrayed the same actor in 1815 as Rokusaburō, the Carpenter (Daiku Rokusaburō).
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NEWOrigin: Seychelles, endemic to Praslin and Curieuse Islands
Weight: 812 g
Dimensions: 210 × 215 × 135 mm
Condition: Naturally aged, with a dark, textured surface and visible patinaThis Coco de Mer seed, also known as the double coconut, features its characteristic bilobed shape with a deep central groove resembling the human form. The dark brown to black surface exhibits natural striations, a fibrous texture, and a slightly glossy patina. Specks of residue and natural imperfections indicate age and environmental exposure.
One side presents a narrower, well-defined cleft, while the opposite side is broader and more rounded, emphasizing its unique form and symmetry. The seed's dense, heavy structure aligns with the species’ reputation as the largest and heaviest seed in the plant kingdom.
Native exclusively to the Seychelles, the Coco de Mer was historically surrounded by mystical associations, once believed to be a fruit from an underwater tree. This specimen has been naturally preserved, showcasing the organic beauty and rarity of the species.
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NEWMaterial: Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) shell with metal chain
Origin: Likely Persia (Iran) or the Indian subcontinent
Date: 19th century
Dimensions: 205 × 135 × 100 mm
Weight: 324 gThis begging bowl (kashkul) is crafted from the shell of a Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) seed, a rare and symbolic material historically associated with mysticism and exotic origins. The natural curvature of the shell has been hollowed and smoothed for functional use, preserving its organic ridged texture on the exterior. Metal rings are affixed at both ends, supporting a linked chain handle, allowing the bowl to be carried or hung.
The kashkul was traditionally used by Sufi dervishes as a symbol of humility and asceticism, carried as a vessel for alms and spiritual offerings. The use of Coco de Mer for such objects was particularly esteemed due to its rarity, as the seed was believed to possess mystical properties and was highly valued in Indian Ocean trade networks.
- Exotic and Sacred Material—Coco de Mer was once considered a fruit from an underwater tree, enhancing its mystical reputation.
- Mystical Associations – In Sufi thought the empty bowl symbolizes detachment from material life and openness to divine sustenance.
- Trade and Status – Such bowls were often prized possessions of high-ranking Sufi masters, symbolizing spiritual authority and renunciation of worldly wealth.
While many kashkuls were crafted from metal (bronze, brass, or silver) and intricately decorated with Persian calligraphy and floral motifs, those made from Coco de Mer were rarer and more valued. The organic curves of the seed naturally complemented the aesthetic and spiritual function of the vessel, making it a highly desirable object.
This piece represents a rare intersection of natural rarity, spiritual tradition, and craftsmanship, making it a notable example of historical Sufi material culture.
See Coco de Mer Seed (Lodoicea maldivica) [VO-0474.2024] in this collection.
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NEWMaterial: Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) shell with engraved decoration, bronze chain, metal fittings, and inlaid elements
Origin: Likely Persia (Iran)
Date: 19th century
Dimensions: 270 × 150 × 130 mm
Weight: 608 gThis begging bowl (kashkul) is carved from the shell of a Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) seed, a material historically associated with mysticism and spiritual significance in Persian Sufi traditions. The exterior is intricately engraved with floral motifs, architectural elements, and figural depictions, while a bronze chain is attached via metal loops for carrying or suspension. The bowl retains its natural curvature with a scalloped rim and detailed craftsmanship.
- Floral and Botanical Motifs: Engraved sunflowers, vines, and foliage patterns symbolizing divine wisdom and enlightenment.
- Figural Depiction: One side features a standing figure in military attire, possibly a Persian warrior, historical figure, or Sufi dervish.
- Architectural Details: Arches and ornamental borders suggest Persian or Mughal artistic influences.
- Inlaid Accents: Small inlays of turquoise or glass enhance the visual appeal and craftsmanship.
The kashkul was traditionally used by Sufi dervishes as a symbol of renunciation and humility, carried to receive alms and spiritual offerings. The use of Coco de Mer, a rare and exotic material, elevated the object's status, making it a prized possession among high-ranking Sufi mystics.
Unlike plain metal kashkuls, which often bore inscriptions of Persian poetry or Quranic verses, this example features extensive figural and architectural designs, suggesting it may have been a presentation or ceremonial piece rather than a simple, functional object. The presence of a bronze chain reinforces its portability and use in daily Sufi practices.
This piece is a rare blend of natural form and intricate artistic craftsmanship, making it a significant example of Persian Sufi material culture.
See Coco de Mer Seed (Lodoicea maldivica) [VO-0474.2024] in this collection.
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NEWHardcover volume 295 x 240 mm, blue cloth spine over paper boards; front pictorial with lettering, back blue with white lettering, red lettering to spine; pp. [1–6] 7–527 [528]; catalogue of the Alan Medaugh collection of Utagawa Hiroshige prints, featuring an annotated catalogue of 500 works, divided into nine thematic sections, with essays by leading scholars.Title-page: HIROSHIGE | NATURE AND THE CITY | PRINTS FROM THE ALAN MEDAUGH COLLECTION | — | CATALOGUE BY JIM DWINGER | ESSAYS BY JOHN T. CARPENTER | ANDREAS MARKS | RHIANNON PAGET | SHIHO SASAKI | COLLECTION PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYOKO MATSUBA | — | PUBLISHED BY LUDION ||
Contributors:
- Utagawa Hiroshige [歌川 広重] a.k.a. Andō Hiroshige [安藤 広重] (Japanese, 1797–1858) – artist.
- Medaugh, Alan (American, 1963 – 2024) – collector.
- Dwinger, Jim – catalogue compiler.
- Carpenter, John T. – essayist.
- Marks, Andreas – essayist.
- Paget, Rhiannon – essayist.
- Sasaki, Shiho – essayist.
- Matsuba, Ryoko – collection photographer.
- Ludion – publisher.
ISBN: 978-9493039988.
For more information, you can refer to the publisher's page: accartbooks.com
