RICHEPIN Jean - CARUCHET Henri. Les Litanies de la Mer

Paris, Printed for Albert Bélinac, 1903.

Large In-8 (283x185mm), [2] ff., 53 ff. anopistographs, [1] f.
Full dark blue morocco, covers composed of two geometric figures in gilt fillets, with variation, from one cover to the other, smooth spine decorated with gilt lines and squares, pastedowns and endpapers in midnight blue velvet, covers and spine preserved, folder and slipcase (M. Richard).

53 compositions by Henri Caruchet including 5 hors-textes and 48 in a colored frame with gold and silver highlights. Illustrations engraved by Ducourtioux and Huillard, artistic coloring by Maison Establie.

Limited edition of 100 copies on Japanese paper, this one of 50 accompanied by a series of black illustrations (n° 13).

The most beautiful and masterful work of Henri Caruchet around a text by Richepin that oscillates between maritime descriptions and religious descriptions. These descriptions are found in the compositions that frame the text and create disturbing scenes with a symbolist atmosphere.

Very beautiful work from the Art Nouveau period.

Carteret, Illustrés, IV, 341.

Artist's Wikipedia:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Caruchet

The ReportArt channel has dedicated a video to the book:
https://youtu.be/2hZ7VGcEw4Q?si=ht9a5eBVxFi6Y3bq
Also a video on Henri Caruchet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dTsLVrmKwQ&ab_channel=ReportArt

See the fully digitized book on the BNF website:
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k15228254.r=litanies%20mer%20caruchet?rk=21459;2

Condition: traces of sunning on the first cover preserved, the title label on the back of the slipcase is shifted.