MIDOLLE, Jean

Traité complet d'ecritures en tous genres et d'ornements moyen-âge

> click here to see the full size image.

1840 MIDOLLE, Jean. Traité Complet d'Ecritures en tous Genres et d'Ornements Moyen-âge. Text in French and German. 32 pp. Illustrated with two lithographic titles (both in chromolithograph, heightened with gold) and 59 lithographic plates of calligraphic scripts, many in chromolithograph. Oblong folio. 320 x 520 mm., bound in modern half green morocco, original front wrapper bound in. In matching morocco and marbled paper over boards slipcase. St. Gall: Tribelhorn, [1840]. A splendid writing manual in the tradition of the classic works by such masters as Arrighi, Cataneo and Verini. The coloured plates are early examples of chromolithography. The very interesting title-page contains a life portrait of the author/master-calligrapher by Dederer, plus an additional title-page leaf "Production Calligraphique Cahier d'ecriture en tous genres et d'ornements modernes" which precedes the individual lithographic plates. The first plate is a fine rendering of the proper position of the hand while engaged in writing, followed by 58 plates displaying various letter samples by Midolle. Little is known about the artist, Jean Midolle (fl. 1830-1850), except that he was a calligrapher of exceptional abilities; on the title-page of the present volume he designates himself as "artiste écrivain compositeur." Bénézit describes him as being of Swiss origin; most of his other illuminated books were published either at Strasbourg or Paris. He was a central figure at the dawn of the invention of chromolithography producing several early chromolithographic books of superb quality. Other noted books in the same vein are his Album du Moyen-Age, 1834-36, Recueil ou Alphabet de Lettres Initiales Historiques Avec Bordures et Fleurons, 1846 and a similar title of the same year Recueil ou Alphabet de Lettres Initiales Historiques Avec Bordures et Fleurons d'aprés les 14 et 15 Siécles. Midolle was clearly a graphic designer of great skill and inventiveness. The plates for this Traité were printed in St. Gall, Switzerland in a variety of techniques to add colour and subtlety to Midolle's calligraphic fantasies. These were transfer, rainbow printing, dusting with gold and inking à la poupée. This work by Midolle is very rare, with OCLC recording only 5 copies worldwide, and the only copy in ABPC CDROM being a lamentable copy sold in 1982. Several pages with long tears professionally repaired. Bonacini, 1183, 1188. Berlin Katalog 5166. McLean, Victorian Book Design, p. 83.

• USD 4,750.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 127262

• bookseller: Ursus Rare Books (USA)