Milano, Antonio Vallardi, [1901]. Oblong folio (21.3 x 30.7 cm). Colour-printed pictorial front board and 20 lithographed plates, of which several tinted, or in one or more colours.

A very rare work in Art Nouveau or Jugendstil style, showing a wide variety of designs and letterings, e.g., for menu cards, invitations, book covers, etc. The title translates as "Modern fonts. With examples of artistic and industrial applications". The date is uncertain - one design is dated 1901. Next to nothing is known about the artist, Fortunato Perilla. A 1920 magazine records an exhibition of his works, in particular Tunisian landscape paintings, in Tunis. Antonio Vallardi was a Milanese publishing firm, active from 1843 to the 1970s. Somewhat thumbed and spotted in the lower margin of a few plates; front wrapper edges rather worn, a rear wrapper may have been issued, but is not present. Otherwise a very good copy. Neither recorded in Evers, Ornamentale Vorlagenwerke, nor in Schneider-Henn, Ornament und Dekoration.