LE SECRET DE GERTRUDE

(BINDINGS - CLUB BINDERY). THEURIET, ANDRÉ

Published by G. Boudet, Paris, 1890

About this Item

290 x 200 mm. (11 3/8 x 7 7/8"). 4 p.l., 213, [3] pp. SUPERB CARAMEL-COLORED CRUSHED MOROCCO, GILT AND ONLAID, BY THE CLUB BINDERY (stamp-signed and dated 1900 on front turn-in), covers with frame of onlaid black morocco tooled with an undulating floral gilt vine, the frame outlined by multiple plain and dotted gilt rules, oblique fleurons at corners of central panel, raised bands, spine compartments with similar frames, gilt lettering, wide turn-ins gilt with decorative floral rolls and gilt rules, leather hinges, all edges gilt. With additional illustrated title page printed in red and dark blue on Chine, and 72 ILLUSTRATIONS by Émile Adan, 60 of these wood-engraved vignettes in the text, all in an additional state, and 12 ETCHED PLATES, ALL IN THREE STATES, two before letters. Front pastedown with morocco bookplate of Robert Hoe. â A hint of shelfwear to tail edge of boards, but really AN IMMACULATE COPY INSIDE AND OUT. This is the epitome of a "bibliophile book": a strictly limited, deluxe version of a lavishly illustrated Parisian production, with plates in multiple states, bound by the first great bindery in the United States, in pristine condition, and with impeccable provenance. Printed on thick, smooth Japanese vellum, "Gertrude" tells the story of two provincial lovers who overcome family objections and myriad other obstacles to be together. Tales of country life were the specialty of novelist André Theuriet (1833-1907), a member of the Académie française and a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. The characters are brought to life by the illustrations of Émile Adan (1839-1937), a painter who specialized in landscapes often populated by charming anecdotal scenes; the strengths of writer and artist could not be more perfectly matched. Bibliophile editions like the present work were created explicitly for connoisseurs like former owner Robert Hoe, a founder of the Grolier Club and one of the world's great book collectors. After Grolier was established in 1884, it soon became apparent that the country's few established hand binders were overtaxed in providing repairs and rebinding for the club members' rapidly accumulating acquisitions. As a consequence, in 1895, Grolier members, along with Edwin Holden and other wealthy collectors, established the Club Bindery in order to attract European craftsmen to provide, close to home, fine quality binding work rivalling what was available abroad. The Club Bindery was in operation until 1909, with Hoe being its most influential manager and client. It provided bindings that tended to be traditional in style--though frequently with elaborate decoration--and that lived up to its patrons' expectations in terms of excellence. The first members of the staff of the Club Bindery were the Englishmen R. W. Smith and Frank Mansell. They were subsequently joined by a number of French binders, chief among them being Leon Maillard, who had worked previously for Cuzin, Gruel, and Marius Michel. It is said by Beverly Chew that Hoe (1839-1911) had a collection that was "the finest [America] has ever contained." He acquired illuminated manuscripts, early printing (he owned a Gutenberg Bible on paper and one on vellum), fine bindings, French and English literature, and Americana, and when his library was sold in 1911-12, it fetched nearly $2 million, a record that held until the Streeter sale more than 50 years later. No. 13 OF 25 "GRAND LUXE" COPIES on Japon (and 25 on Chine). Seller Inventory # ST18239

Bibliographic Details

Title: LE SECRET DE GERTRUDE

Publisher: G. Boudet, Paris

Publication Date: 1890