Le Livre de Demain

1884. ROCHAS, Albert de. Le Livre de Demain. 44 separate fascicles comprising 424 pp., illustrated with 11 original samples of rare old paper, 4 chromatic circles, 6 silhouettes by P. Konewka and 5 plates of which 3 are etchings and 2 are reproductions. 8vo, 225 x 140 mm., loose as issued in the original cardboard folder, in a new half morocco folding box. Blois: Imprimerie Raoul Marchand, 1884. A tour de force of fin de siècle bookmaking printed on 44 different kinds of paper. The first three sections deal with the history of paper, ink, and colour, with the rest of the book being a selection of texts printed on various kinds of tinted paper, all decorated in a variety of colours. The paper samples illustrate the history of paper from papyrus to modern Japanese. Among the authors of the texts are Alphonse Daudet, Paul Verlaine and Robert de Montesquiou. Our copy has the rare four-page promotional "Avis" printed on red paper within a gilt rule frame separately published bound-in at the end, and the equally scarce version Dissertation étymologique, historique et critique sur les diverses origines du mot Cocu, replacing the original text, printed on yellow paper 'jaune de Voiron'. The text of the Dissertation étymologique, historique et critique sur les diverses origines du mot Cocu in our copy covers 16 pages whereas Vicaire describes it as having 14 pages. One of an edition of 250 copies signed by both the author and the publisher, and marked "Author's copy". A rare and stunning book, especially in the fascicles as issued. The folder is worn, but the book itself is immaculate.