MERIMEE PROSPER [Louis Jou / Creuzevault binding] - Lot 292

MERIMEE PROSPER [Louis Jou / Creuzevault binding] Le Carrosse du Saint Sacrement, followed by la perle de Tolède, la femme est un diable, Les âmes du Purgatoire, le Ciel et l'Enfer. Paris, 1929, Société du livre d'art, in-4 full tobacco morocco with gilded pastille inclusions in a circular movement around a blue morocco hub. Broadly framed counterplate covered with paper imitating light wood, underlined by a cream morocco listel; covers preserved, all edges gilt, folder and slipcase. Signed binding by CREUZEVAULT. Unique edition of 150 copies on vellum. 50 woodcut illustrations and ornaments by Louis Jou, 19 of them full-page. Carteret IV-277 "Très beau livre illustré, coté". Henri Creuzevault was born in Paris in 1905 (-1971). He first worked in the workshop of his father, Louis, and received his first award in 1928 for a bookbinding done by four hands. In 1930, he took over the workshop on rue de Villejust, which was transferred to rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré in 1934. At the 1937 International Exhibition, Henri Creuzevault was awarded First Prize for bookbinding; in 1946, he helped found the Société de la Reliure Originale and took part in its exhibitions, at the Bibliothèque Nationale in 1947 and 1953, in Lyon in 1949 and at all book-related events in France and abroad; among others, in Paris, at the two Richesses de la Librairie française exhibitions and in London, in 1949, at the Art Council Collection of modern English and French bindings at Major Abbey"; at the Milan Triennale, in 1954, he won a gold medal. Faded cover and slipcase. Minor foxing on a number of leaves. Superb binding by Creuzevault.