first edition Stab binding. String ties.
1890 · Paris
by Posada Wine Company
Paris: Lemercier, 1890. First Edition. Stab binding. String ties. . Very Good. N.d., circa 1890. Oblong, 13 by 17 cm. Unpaginated, 16 leaves of card stock, each featuring a chromolithographed color plate of children playing sports and games, including hoops, bouncing a ball, a raquet game called "Le Volant", trotting, jump rope, swings, or alternatively, imitating adults, such as pretending to perform a baptism or a wedding, play-acting as a doctor or merchant, and as a photographer, back when photographic equipment was far more daunting than that of the 20th century we are more familiar with, or simulation a carriage ride in the park. The promotion of the company's product in these illustrations was occasional and subtle, with a sign in the background or a bottle of wine here or there. The coloring is very rich and bright. Cover is illustrated with cherubs carrying the flags of ten European nations and marching in a procession. At the head of the parade is a cherub satyr playing a flute, while to the side is a cherub atop a barrel holding a scepter and laurel of grape leaves. Posada was an Iberian wine house, based in Paris, with branches in Lille, Nice and Trouville. Scarce, with no institutional holdings evidenced on OCLC First Search. Condition: Leaves (or plates) loose at bottom, with the binding holding almost entirely by the top ribbon hole. Scattered light soiling, never disconcerting. Plates, as already indicated, are bright and vivid.
(Inventory #: 007068)