FÊTES GALANTES

Paris: H. Piazza, 1928. First Edition Limited. Soft cover. Near Fine. Limited edition. Printed paper covers with illustrations on front and back, title on spine, and tissue guards. Exceptionally rare, this is numbered VI of XXV copies that were printed on imperial Japanese paper, containing 20 colored illustrations by Barbier. (The remaining two hundred copies numbered from 26 to 225 were printed on imperial Japanese paper, containing a black version of the illustrations; and eight hundred copies numbered from 226 to 1025 were on pure vellum paper.) In original glassine that is tanned and chipped. George Barbier (1882-1932) was a French illustrator in the early 20th century. He designed theater and ballet costumes, illustrated books, and produced haute couture fashion illustrations. Barbier led a group from the Ecole des Beaux Arts who were known as "The Knights of the Bracelet. (Inventory #: 013579)