NICOLAS
LISTE DES GRANDS VINS FINS 1936
A. M. Cassandre
A. M. Cassandre: NICOLAS: LISTE DES GRANDS VINS FINS 1936. Paris: Etienne Nicolas, 1935. Original edition. Quarto. A very good softcover book in lithographically-printed wrappers with original plasti-coil comb binding. 48 interior pages Japanese-folded pages of Cassandre typography and vignettes inspired by the aesthetics of the court of Louis XVI. Letterpress printing in 4 colors throughout from the prestigious presses of Draeger Freres of Montrouge. Wrappers and page edges lightly worn with a few scratches. Cover fore edge a few early leaves lightly stained along outer edge. Overall a decent copy of an original piece of Cassandre ephemera. Rare. 7.5 x 9.5 plasti-coil bound booklet with 48 pages of elegant letterpress printing presenting the 1936 prices for NicolasÕ wine offerings. The 1936 booklet was the second of three Cassandre booklets produced for Etienne Nicolas between 1930 and 1937. Nicolas was well aware of Cassandre's considerable talents and reputation and was comfortable in hiring the artist to design the luxury publications which he prided himself in commissioning for his firm. [Henri Mouron: A. M. CASSANDRE. NYC: Rizzoli, 1985. pgs. 102-104; Anne-Marie Sauvage: A. M. CASSANDRE OEUVRES GRAPHIQUES MODERNES 1923-1939. Paris: Bibliotheque nationale de France, 2005. pgs. 109-111.]
This brochure is notable for the famous cover, recognized as one of Cassandre's signature typographic treatments. LISTE DES GRANDS VINS FINS 1936 remains an amazing snapshot of pre-war avant-garde typography and its utilization by the bourgeoisie before the start of World War II.
A. M. Cassandre (1901 - 1968) born Adolphe Jean Edouard Mouron and studied at the Ecoles des Beaux Arts in Paris. He produced his first poster Au Bucheron at 22. Cassandre's work was seen as a bridge between the modern fine arts and the commercial arts. Despite his affinity to the fine arts he always believed there should be a separateness between disciplines. The success of his posters probably lies in his philosophy that his posters were meant to be seen by people who do not try to see them.
Following the Art Deco premiere at the 1925 Exposition, Cassandre joined with designer Jean Carlu to form a group of artists whose mission would be to advance Modernist aesthetics in all applications of design and thought. The Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM) was born of this common goal. Charles Peignot, joined the group's membership with the likes of writer Jean Cocteau, Nobel laureate AndrŽ Gide, architect Le Courbusier, decorator Sonia Delaunay, Maxmilien Vox, and other artists who specialized in the design of jewelry, textiles, furniture, and lighting.
Peignot later clarified the group's purpose: "Together we tried to break away from the style that survived the first World War. It is not surprising that I tried to accomplish in my field what my friends were doing in theirs."
Spreads from this volume can be viewed here.
out of stock