Cristallerie de Sèvres. Anciene Verreries Royales (Two Parts in One) [WITH] Illustrated Advertisement for the 1889 Exposition Universelle

Paris: Alfred Landier & Houdaille, 1870. First edition. Hardcover. Good- to very good condition. Folio. (5pp.) 19 plates, (3pp.) 34 plates. Original brown cloth with gilt lettering and medallions, framed by stark black ruling with decorative corners. Gray endpapers. Illustrated title page with decorative border. All pages with decorative framing. The crystals, app. sixteen per page, are depicted on the right side of the double-page plates, the descriptions of the corresponding products with measurements are listed on the left side of the plate. Laid in (truncated) a four page illustrated advertisement for the Exposition Universelle 1889 in Paris, rendered lithographically.

In a century and a half, Crystal de Sèvres and its luxurious glasses have definitively won over enthusiasts of French tableware: the fashionable aesthetics of the pieces produced and their timeless elegance have established a reputation for unparalleled crystal. The different Crystal de Sèvres series of table glasses share a refined appearance, enhanced by the subtle transparency of the crystal used. (Company Statement)

The founding of Verrerie de Sèvres in 1750 is credited to an initiative of Madame de Pompadour. It was, however, during the reign of Charles X in the the 19th century that the establishment gained its reputation, thanks to its opalines, gold and vermeil pieces, which were presented at the World Fair of 1878 in Paris. Originally intended to serve the court of Louis XV, it quickly won a prestigious clientele throughout Europe.

This catalog, presented in two parts, introduces plain crystals in part one and thin and cut crystals in part two, with designations (jugs, decanters, oil carafes, bottles, salt shakers, cups, etc.), size and price lists on the left side, images of respective items on the right side. All pages are rendered in lithography. The crystals were produced at the factory in Bas-Meudon, with a depository in Paris.

Text in French. Binding with some wear along edges, small chips and crease at lower foredge corner, light discoloration at top edge near foredge, and small stain near top of spine. Remnants of removed label on spine, lightly wavy at middle of bottom edge of back cover, due to water exposure, and lightly rubbed. Starting at inside front cover and endpapers lightly foxed. Starting at plates 22 and 30 of part two. Block lightly age-toned. Binding in good minus, block in good plus to very good condition. (Inventory #: 52611)