GOSSEZ (A.-M.). The Lorraine Group for Art and Literature. L - Lot 121

GOSSEZ (A.-M.). The Lorraine Group for Art and Literature. Lille: Édition du “Beffroi,” 1901. 8vo, paperback; beige cover printed in red and black and adorned with an Art Nouveau floral design; 6 inset reproductions of works by Émile Gallé, Victor Prouvé, Louis Majorelle, Fridrich, Gruber, and Bussière. First edition, printed in a limited run of only 100 non-commercial copies. This copy is No. 12, with a handwritten inscription. A very interesting study devoted to the artistic and literary movement in Lorraine at the height of the École de Nancy. In it, Gossez discusses Gallé and his evolution under the influence of Japanese art, as well as the interior designers, glassmakers, musicians, and poets who contributed to the artistic revival in Lorraine. The work is properly cataloged as a publication of *Le Beffroi*; A.-M. Gossez was, in fact, one of the founders of this literary journal. This copy is enhanced by a beautiful autograph dedication signed by the author to Guy Ropartz: “To Master Guy-Ropartz, the composer, the conductor… and the poet! A young colleague in poetry. A.-M. Gossez. ” The provenance is particularly interesting: Guy Ropartz is specifically mentioned in the text of the work itself as a composer and a key figure in Nancy’s musical life. The dedication thus establishes a direct connection between the author, the subject of the book, and one of the protagonists of the movement under study. A copy in its fragile original cover, which is faded, sun-bleached, and stained, with a corner missing from the front cover and small tears and marginal wear; the interior, however, is in satisfactory condition. These flaws should be noted, but the rarity of the print run and, above all, the dedication to Ropartz more than compensate for the condition of the cover. A rare document on the École de Nancy and the Lorraine art movement, particularly desirable in this signed copy presented by Gossez to Guy Ropartz.