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Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
MIDOLLE, JEAN. Écritures Anciennes * Spécimen Ecritures Modernes * Galerie Compositions Ecritures Anciennes et Modernes. 3 volumes in 1. Three chromolithographed titles and 115 plates (40, 40, and 38 + 2 uncolored), all after designs by Midolle and beautifully color printed, many heightened with silver, gold, or bronze. Oblong folio, 267x374 mm; 10 1/2x14 1/2 inches, 19th century calf-backed marbled boards, moderate wear; scattered toning; bookplate of Felix Durosier. Strasbourg: Émile Simon fils, 1834-35
"an amazing display of chromolithographic pyrotechnics . . . The plates depict decorative alphabets by Jean Midolle, but the printed effects go far beyond the requirements of calligraphy. Although Midolle was clearly a graphic designer of great skill and inventiveness, virtually nothing is known of him outside these volumes. He brought to Simon two series of alphabets, entitled Anciennes and Modernes, together with another more elaborate group under the heading Galérie—meaning a gallery of Midolle's most fanciful compositions . . . Many of Midolle's pages are delightful, decorative, and highly detailed. Simon seems to have decided that they were perfect material for trying out new effects in colour printing. He used four basic devices to add colour and variety to Midolle's calligraphic fantasies. These were transfer, rainbow printing, dusting with gold, and inking à la poupée"—Gascoigne, Milestones in Colour Printing, pages 26-27. Bonacini 1186.
