SPL Hand Coloured Rare Book Collection Featuring Norman R Bobins

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VARIN, Amedee. [illus]
Les Papillons Metamorphoses Terrestres des Peuples de L'Air.

A rare copy of one of the most beautiful romantic illustrated books, whimsical anthropomorphic hand-colored plates, including two frontispieces. Plates depict human figures costumed in butterfly wings and placed in a natural setting. Work in two volumes by Eugène Nus and Antony Meray, illustrated by Amédée Varin.

Published
Paris: Gabriel de Gonet, 1852.
Plates
35
Binding/Size
M=4to
Value
0-5000
Published
Paris: Gabriel de Gonet, 1852.
Ref
1273

[The Terrestrial Metamorphosis Butterflies of the Air Peoples.] 2 volumes. 4to. In the beautiful original romantic binding of black cloth boards with two butterfly lovers within an elaborate floral and arabesque cartouche in gilt, royal blue, pale blue, green, and silver colouring to boards. The pictorial gilt spines are rubbed and bear small discreet gilt library numbers at the base; new linen spines with original spines re-attached; most of the design remains. Mild foxing to contents. Scarce in original binding. Hand-coloured portraits and 34 exquisite hand-coloured plates of anthropomorphic butterflies in romantic scenes illustrate fantastic stories. The work is in the manner of Grandville, whom Varin preceded. In many of the illustrations, the butterfly species is identified; a North American Indian represents one butterfly. MS signature on front pastedown of "Eliza W. Osbarmer Case 42" in each volume. Coloured plates in order: Volume 1. 1. Les Papillons, frontispiece. 2. La Dame aux Papillons. 3. Felone d'un grand Oaon de Nuit. Therias Elathea -- Grand Peon depu Nuit, frontispiece. 4. Je vis un voyageur assis au bord de la route. 5. La Belle Epagnole et les deux Porte-Queue, frontispiece. 6. Elle se balancait mollement dans les airs. 7. Deux Ailes Coupees mal a propos, frontispiece. 8. Sautiller et danser etait leur plus attrayante occupation. 9. Les Neveux du Capitaine Francarville, frontispiece. 10. Chez les hommes toutes les histoires commencent ou finissent par le marriage. 11. Le Nouvel Endymion, frontispiece. 12. Un nouvel Endymion. 13. L'Amour au Galop, frontispiece. 14. Dans leur course aerienne ils s'effeurerent des levres. 15. Le Triomphe de Gypris, frontispiece. 16. Enlevement de Cypris. 17. Bulbul et Goul-Gou-Li, frontispiece. 18. Plus vite plus vite ma soeur criait Goul-Gou-Li. 19. Le Teschou-Lama, frontispiece. 20. Promenade de Teschou-Lama. Volume 2. 21. Les Papillons, frontispiece. 22. Aventure d'une Guepe et d'un Frelon, frontispiece. 23. Il assistait meme a sa toilette. 24. Les Quatorze Vierges du Delta, frontispiece. 25. Elles brulaient leurs ailes au flambeau de l'amour. 26. L'Amour dans les Forets Vierges, frontispiece. 27. Fleur de vanille recoit les adieux de son fiance. 28. Vertu Medicale du Bolero, frontispiece. 29. Le Bolero. 30. L'Arbre de Noel, frontispiece. 31. L'Arbre de Noel. 32. La Vestale du Rio Colorado, frontispiece. 33. La Vestale du Rio Colorado. 34. Cazotte (portrait). 35. Entomolgie des Dames.