Paris, Librairie Renouard (Henri Laurens, éditeur), [1897-1900]. Folio (34.7 x 25.7 cm). Half-title, title page; v-viii; 32 lithographed plates, all finely chromolithographed, and all enriched with gold. Original green half cloth portfolio over pictorial boards. Front board with title and ornaments in white and red.

Illustrated by the French designer and illustrator Jules-Auguste Habert-Dys (1850-1924). Habert-Dys is one of the earliest Art Nouveau artists, renowned both for his illustrated books, and for his original art, in particular vases and jewellery. Caprices décoratives is one of his rarest publications. It consists of four sections or chapters, as indicated in the title, which are sometimes offered separately. This copy, however, is the very rare complete edition with all four sections, and the general portfolio, introduction, and index. We found just three auction records, including only one of a complete copy. Straps - of very thin cloth - perished, otherwise truly excellent, clean. Not in Schneider-Henn.