Louys pierre

1937 · 463 — Paris: Rombaldi Éditeur 1937. Limited Edition. Near fine. Antoine Calbet 1860-1944. 8vo 7 5/8 x 5 3/4 194 x 156 mm. pp: 4 vii 242. Five color lithographs including the frontispiece. Copies printed on Voiron laid paper are numbered. Previous owner's name in ink on first free flypaper dated Paris 1937. Bound in half red morocco with four raised bands and gilt titling; marbled boards and end papers; original wrappers printed in black and red bound in; t.e.g. Spine lightly sunned and with minor abrasions but binding is tight and square pages bright. This work is part of the publisher's series "Les Contemporains."<br /> BNF32396591. "Aphrodite: Ancient Manners" is a description of courtesan life in Alexandria by French poet and writer Pierre Louÿs 1870 - 1925 who is best known for the classical and lesbian themes in some of his writings. The book became an instant success when in was published in 1896 and became the subject of several editions including this limited edition accompanied by the five lovely and "piquant" illustrations by Antoine Calbet. Calbet was known for his colorful youthful somewhat risqué pictures of women had won medals at several of the Paris Salons 1863 1880 1891 1892 1893 and the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. He was a prolific illustrator of books Zola Barres and magazines and his best know commission is probably the luxurious Train Bleu restaurant at Paris's Gare de Lyon where he painted delightful panels depicting the cities of Nice Evian Nîmes and Grenoble. Rombaldi Éditeur unknown