DECARIS (Albert) - SAINT-SIMON. - Lot 231

DECARIS (Albert) - SAINT-SIMON. Drawings for Louis XIV. S.l., circa 1946. - In-folio collection, 373x325. Dark blue morocco, first cover decorated with the figure of Louis XIV in blue morocco edged with gilt fillets, within a gilt radiating circle surrounded by a blue morocco ribbon and surmounted by a gilt crown, all inscribed in the center of a white morocco circle from which emerge bands of different lengths, gilded and in white morocco, symbolizing rays of the sun, smooth spine, dark blue morocco frame inside, blue suede lining and endpapers, gilt edges (Creuzevault). Precious and unique album of 27 original wash drawings on parchment by Albert DECARIS (1901-1988), used to illustrate Saint-Simon's Louis XIV, published in 1946 by Henri Creuzevault. These 27 drawings show many variations from the engravings in the book, and some are completely different from their engraved version, particularly those depicting characters. A superb copy in a binding by Creuzevault, probably made for himself. Each drawing is mounted on tabs between two sheets of vellum paper.