ÉDY-LEGRAND — Mythology - Lot 86

ÉDY-LEGRAND — Mythology VAUDOYER (Jean-Louis) - ÉDY-LEGRAND - MEUNIER (Mario). Mythology. “Visages de la Culture” series. Paris, Club du Livre, 1960. 2 large in-4 volumes, publisher’s bindings in full fawn sheepskin, spines with four broad raised bands, titles and volume numbers in gold, upper covers adorned with a large mythological design cold-stamped — Omphale and Hercules in the center, surrounded by ancient scenes —, medallion with a faun’s head on the lower covers, gilded spines. Individual publisher’s cardboard slipcases with edged edges. Volume I: approximately LXXII–224 pp.; Volume II: 290 pp. The work is very richly illustrated based on Édy-Legrand’s artwork, featuring full-page color plates, drawings, sketches, and black-and-white illustrations, photographic reproductions, and several mounted plates. The endpapers are also illustrated based on Édy-Legrand’s artwork. The first volume includes, notably, Jean-Louis Vaudoyer’s “Présence des Dieux,” Édy-Legrand’s “À la recherche des Dieux et des Héros,” and Mario Meunier’s *La Légende dorée des Dieux et des Héros*. The second volume continues Mario Meunier’s mythological texts, devoted in particular to the epic legends of Greece and Rome. The edition is limited to 8,250 copies, plus a few non-commercial copies. It includes, notably, 400 copies on Arches paper, 2,400 copies on pure-fiber watermarked paper from the Papeteries du Marais—numbered CDI through MMDCCC—and 5,450 copies on antique vellum from Bellegarde. This copy bears the number MDCCLXXV = 1775. It therefore belongs to the run of 2,400 copies on watermarked pure-fiber paper from the Papeteries du Marais, which is the second major commercial paper used in the edition, superior to the 5,450 standard copies on Bellegarde vellum. The volume constitutes the final installment of the first part of the “Visages de la Culture” collection. The photographed “printed” stamp indicates January 4, 1960, on the Firmin-Didot presses; reproduction of the gouaches and drawings was entrusted to Fernand Chenot. A fine copy, complete with both slipcases. The interior is in very fresh condition. Both volumes are in very good condition internally: clean paper, vividly colored illustrations, and well-preserved mounted plates. However, the bindings show fairly significant rubbing and wear, mainly on the spines, raised bands, headbands, and fore-edges. The headbands are slightly rubbed and worn. The embossed decoration on the covers, however, remains very legible and striking. The slipcases are present, with some signs of use.