SOULIÉ FREDERIC [Jean-Adrien Mercier] - Lot 360

SOULIÉ FREDERIC [Jean-Adrien Mercier] Le lion amoureux Paris, 1937, in-4 square paperback in publisher's jacket and slipcase. 20 original color drypoints by Jean-Adrien Mercier. One of 450 copies on Arches. Carteret IV-365 "interesting publication". The very fine and fragile parma paperback cover is in perfect condition. No foxing. Jean-Adrien Mercier (Angers 1899-Saint-Gemmes-sur-Loire 1995) had a long career as a painter, publicist, poster artist and illustrator. He began his career by designing numerous movie posters for Jean Renoir, Abel Gance and Sacha Guitry. He then became artistic director of Cointreau, whose mother was one of the founder's granddaughters. In the forties, his name was associated with children's stories published by Editions Marcus, which he illustrated for his daughter Sylvie. In the 1960s, he was commissioned to decorate the children's playroom on the liner France, as well as several series of illustrations for Compagnie Générale Transatlantique menus. His style is particularly identifiable for its fine drawing and use of acidulous colors, notably his characteristic green and pink.