DUBOIS (Paul-Élie) - CHEVRILLON (André). - Lot 107

DUBOIS (Paul-Élie) - CHEVRILLON (André). Les Puritains du désert sud-algérien. Paris: Le Livre contemporain, [1944]. - In-4, 327 x 254: (6 ff. first 3 blanks), 214 pp. (9 ff. last 2 blanks), illustrated cover. Leaves, filled cover, tan chagrin spine folder, lined slipcase. Brilliant edition published on the initiative of Georges Lecomte and Ernest de Crauzat, illustrated with ornaments and 82 color compositions by painter and illustrator Paul-Élie DUBOIS (1886-1949), interpreted on wood by Pierre Bouchet, including one on the cover and 4 full-page illustrations. "One of the artist's most powerful illustrations", according to Carteret (IV, p. 103). "Execution began in May 1938, continued during the German occupation and was completed when the Germans landed in June 1944" (justification). The book was designed by Pierre Bouchet, who also created the typography and printed the text and engravings on his presses. Exemplaire sur vélin de Rives, bearing the number 29, specially printed for Mr. Henry Hirsch. The latter does not appear to have received this copy, which remained in the hands of Pierre Bouchet. It does not include the printing slip, but is enriched with the following items: - L.A.S. from Georges Lecomte, 1 1/2 pages in-12, on Académie Française letterhead, to Pierre Bouchet, July 3, 1944. He thanks and congratulates him on the printing of the book. - 4 leaves containing 12 original gouache drawings by Dubois for the book's ornaments. Each sheet is signed by the artist. - Test print on silk of one of the book's color woodcuts, signed and justified by Pierre Bouchet and dated 1945. Dust jacket spine faded. Some rare foxing. Provenance: Pierre Bouchet.