MARDRUS — BOURDELLE. The Queen of Sheba. 1922. - Lot 189

MARDRUS — BOURDELLE. The Queen of Sheba. 1922. MARDRUS (Joseph-Charles). — BOURDELLE (Émile-Antoine). The Queen of Sheba. Based on the text and translation by Dr. J.-C. Mardrus and illustrated with watercolors by É.-A. Bourdelle. Paris, Société Littéraire de France, 10 rue de l’Odéon, 1922 [printed in Chartres by Durand on December 10, 1921]. Large loose-leaf volume, with a hardcover bound in red and black. Illustrated edition featuring fifty color compositions by Antoine Bourdelle; the colors were applied using stencils by Saudé, under Bourdelle’s direction. One of 260 copies on Arches vellum paper, numbered from 41 to 300; this one is no. 244. The colophon specifies a total limited print run of 300 copies, divided into 40 copies on Imperial Japan paper—the first 24 of which are enhanced with one or more original watercolors by Bourdelle—and 260 copies on Arches vellum. The photographs show several of the color illustrations, which retain beautiful tones: Oriental-inspired figures, fantastical scenes, and compositions characteristic of Bourdelle’s graphic work. Condition: interior appears generally well-preserved and fresh; a few small spots or isolated foxing. The original cover is present but heavily damaged on the spine and hinges, with significant tears and missing sections—particularly on the spine—as well as creases, rub marks, and foxing. The volume is partially unbound, with several loose leaves or plates.