24 1/4x19 1/2 inches, 61 1/2x49 1/2 cm. G. De Malherbe, Paris. Condition A-: minor creases and small tears at edges; slight foxing in margins. Paper. Proof before hand-signature and numbering, with gold ink.
With all of his Art Nouveau credentials, it is no wonder that the Salon des Cent dedicated its first one-man show (and second exhibition) to Grasset in 1894. The Salon des Cent was famous for having artists design their own exhibition posters, and Grasset's sensitive and impeccable work proved to be one of his best images, visually summing up his decorative principles. This special, limited edition version without lettering was actually printed five years later. La Plume's 4th Album d'Affiches et d'Estampes, December 1, 1899, offers the panel for 15 francs as item 279, with the explanation that the poster was already out of print but that it would soon be reissued as a signed and numbered printing without lettering. The exact date of the printing is unknown because, unfortunately, Leon Deschamps, La Plume's director, died a few weeks later, bringing business to a standstill. As a result, we do not know for sure if this lithograph was published in December 1899 or January 1900. While La Plume does not mention the edition of this print, it was certainly, as was their custom, printed in an edition of only 100 copies. Rare. Grasset, p. 6, Weill, p. 32, Maitres, pl. 98, Word and Image, p. 34, DFP-II, 410 (all var), Salon des Cent 8.
![EUGÈNE GRASSET (1845-1917). [SALON DES CENT.] Circa 1899. 24¼x19½ inches, 61½x49½ cm. G. De Malherbe, Paris.](https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/full//295\803295.jpg)
