c1889 Book Birds & Butterflies w 8 Paul de Longpre BUTTERFLY Print s - Rare Antique Victorian Chromolithograph Flower Floral

Collectibles : Historical

 

Unbelievable, superb, rare as rare can be! The 1889 book is a first edition entitled "Birds and Butterflies". The blue cloth cover is gilded in both gold and silver, with a lovely fairy lady and butterflies. It is by Musgraves, and was published by the Elder Publishing Company, Chicago, IL. It contains some of the earliest and finest Paul de Longpre butterfly studies ever seen. This set of 8 butterfly prints are extremely rare and are dated 1889, PRIOR to his coming to America. These are outstanding examples of de Longpre's early work (which is almost non-existent to find!), the colorful butterflies and meadow flowers are just beautiful. These were part of a set made for Musgraves Company. It would have taken de Longpre almost two years to paint them and get them to print, so they were created around 1887. This listing is for the book in its entirely, with has wonderful tales of butterfly life, as well as many engravings of birds and insects of the period. More photos are available upon request. It doesn't get any better than this---they will NEVER again be for sale, they are indeed one of a kind! These come from the collection of Nancy Hall, the author of the book "The Life & Art of Paul de Longpre".

Each magnificent chromolithograph has excellent color hues. They are entitled: "Butterflies and Clover" "Butterflies and Cape Heath" "Butterflies and Lilac" "Butterflies and Clematis" "Butterflies and Poppies" "Butterflies and Daisies" "Butterflies and Pansies" "Butterflies and Wild Roses"

These images are unsigned, but documented and also signed in two elephant folios (not shown in this listing, but I can send photos upon request). The old lithographers did a kind of "cut and paste", taking from the larger images to create 4 of the smaller images. Each of the pages measure aprox 5.75 x 7.75 inches with their borders. Some of them have tissue guards. The front title page has a tear that lays flat and is un-mended, and the other prints are in very good condition to fine condition, the rose print having a slight crease in an upper corner. Overall book size is 6.25 x 8 inches, 256 pages. The spine has some separation, but is easily mended. If you like, the book can be taken apart and the de Longpre images framed, and they would be just magnificent in a yard long style!

Item ID: RL530

--------------------
Layaway is available, please ask about terms!