Paris, Librairie des Arts Décoratifs Charles Schmid, [1895?]. Folio (46.2 x 34.3 cm). 24 chromolithographed plates in original portfolio. Front board printed in black and red.

A rarely seen work by the French artist, architect, and professor at l'Ecole des Arts décoratifs, Paul Lorain (1835-1919). One of two suites. Both are rare. There is only one auction record of both suites (in 1983), and one of a single suite (in 1995). The date 1895 has been attached to this work, but Schneider-Henn is probably right in dating it a bit later, "um [around] 1900". It is interesting to note that Lorain, at a fairly advanced age, was able to embrace the new form of art called Jugendstil in German, and Art Nouveau in France. Boards worn at edges, toned, with two small stickers on the spine, weak remnants of pencilled number in margins. First plate toned; plate edges with some creasing, soiling, and a few, short tears, all well-outside the printed area. The impressions strong. In all a very good copy. Schneider-Henn Ornament und Dekoration, 283.