There is no way on earth I would let a child near this beautiful 56 page book: 'Vieilles Chansons et Ronds pour les Petits Enfants' (the book title and the title page are a little different) - a children's songbook by Charles-Marie Widor with just gorgeous illustrations by Maurice Boutet de Monvel.
It is dated sometime between 1910-1920 and is online with high resolution images at the Library of Congress. The printing quality is particularly excellent.
There are 2 other books online illustrated by de Monvel -- 'La Civilité (Puérile et Honnête)' and 'Joan of Arc' -- at childrensbooksonline.
Les illustrations sont très jolies. Great find Paul!
ReplyDeleteI have a similar book with illustrations by the same artist called "Chansons de France pour les petits français" It is a lovely book, given to me when I was child by a dear family friend. So nice to see something similar in your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bibi.
ReplyDeleteI came across that book on ebay pod lady. The image quality doesn't compare to Library of Congress of course but it's a very similar style. I think I saw reference to about 5 other books by de Monvel - fables and the like.
I was actually blown away by the print quality of 'Vieilles Chansons': I've never seen that sort of texture (helped of course by the high res.) Outstanding and unique in my ignorant opinion.
They're so beautiful! I've also seen a few of these illustrations in Corbis (but not looking as good.) Try doing a search in that site with the name Sarah Stilwell Weber, they have 3 charming illustrations there I've never seen anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteSome good size pictures of Boutet de Monvel at the incredible fulltable:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fulltable.com/VTS/aoi/b/boutet/menu.htm
Thanks Pita! I should have known Fulltable would have his work.
ReplyDeleteDirect links:
-'Nos Enfants'
-'Jeanne D'Arc'
-'Fontaine's Fables'
-'Chansons de France'
Fulltable.com has my version of the book. Glad to see one of my treasures featured on the web.
ReplyDelete