Monod théodore

1890 · 61004 — Paris: E. Dentu Editeur Libraire de la Societe des Gens de Letteres 1890. Four Vols. Folio. 9.75 x 13 in. xxxi 1 666 2; 4 618 2; 4 670 2; 8 pp unpaginated. with 82 engravings on 70 plates many double-page. Extra-illustrated title page frontispiece in vol. I 100’s of text woodcut-engravings tables diagrams charts decorated head- and tail-pieces decorated initials. Uniformly bound in elaborately decorated gray-lilac-coloured cloth embossed decorative borders in burgundy-colour gilt lettering front covers & spines t.e.g. minor edgewear inner hinges starting in a few places due to weight of the textblock minor wear and slight bumping to corners darkening and more wear to Atlas volume still a VG set. First edition of this nicely printed and weighty set chronicling the fourth great Paris World’s Fair an extraordinary Exposition which refashioned Paris and celebrated the Centennial of the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille. The Exposition was intended to pull France out of a ruinous recession and attracted over 61000 exhibitors as well as 32 million visitors many of whom came to view the iconic Eiffel Tower and even a profit of 8000000 francs. This lavish production details the development and history of the Exposition the construction of the Eiffel Tower as well as the development of the sites along the Seine. The companion album includes 82 woodcut-engraved images executed by such artists as Baude Baulenaz and Hauger many of them from original photographs shot by Messiers J. Levy et Cie. Levy had also shot photographs for the 1867 Paris L’Exposition Universelle and his photos captured many views of the exhibition grounds and buildings and focused on many in the Javanese Tonkin and Streets of Cairo attractions. E. Dentu, Editeur, Libraire de la Societe des Gens de Letteres, hardcover