BEL AMI. Lithographies Originales de Grau Sala.

3 volumes. Limited, First Edition and one of only 30 copies containing a suite in black and white of the illustrations and with a watercolour signed by the artist and the 4 boards in black state, of a total issuance of 250 copies. With two frontispieces, two half titles, 18 chapter headings 80 in text illustrations of varied sizes and 18 tail-pieces for a total of 120 colour lithographs by Émle Grau-Sala, printed on hand-presses by carries out on presses in the workshops of Master-craftsmen Edmond Desjobert, Goeroges Dunck, Marcel Mannequin and Louis Ravel. Volume 3 contains hundreds of b&w sketches and illustrations and one original signed watercolour. 8vo, as issued in separate signatures within pictorial stiff paper wrappers designed by Grau-Salaand with original glassine intact, each within a decorative board portfolio with brown ribbon ties. 309, (2), (8) pp.; 301, (3), (6) pp. A very fine copy.

Edizione: émile grau-sala (1911-1975) was a noted figure of the spanish school. both a painter and decorator working primarily in watercolours. he trained in the art college of barcelona. he immigrated to france in 1932 where he produced his best works. he is most famous as the illustrator of les fleurs du mal of baudelaire, this bel-ami of maupassant and colette’s gigi. “in the indisputable personality of grau-sala, the colourer essentially dominates. he uses clear tones which harmonize in perfectly ordered cadences.' - paul sentenac.