Georges Courteline (pseudonym for Georges Moinaux), Boubouroche Madelon Margot.  Pochoir and hand colored illustrations by Joseph Hémard (Paris: Georges Briffaut, [1927]). Copy no. 10 of 50. Graphic Arts Collection GAX in process

During the 1920s, the French artist Joseph Hémard (1880-1961) was in demand for his humorous book and magazine illustrations with bright pochoir color. He became so well-known that he published an autobiography in 1928, including a self-portrait as a frontispiece [see below. Joseph Hémard (1880-1961), Joseph Hémard (Paris: H. Babou, 1928). Graphic Arts Collection (GAX) NC248 .H44]

In addition to Hémard’s plates, the Graphic Arts Collection’s new copy of Boubouroche Madelon Margot has a contemporary binding by René Kieffer (1875-1963). It is signed in gilt on the front turn-in and with his label in tan goatskin.

The covers have a black goatskin onlay in each corner and a larger octagonal onlay in the center blocked in gilt to a floral design and outlined in gilt with six gilt roundels around the sides.

A smooth spine is lettered in gilt on a black label at the center and a black onlay blocked in gilt at the head and foot and two gilt roundels. The turn-ins and matching inside joints are tooled with two gilt fillets and a quatrelobe, silver and black woven textile doublures and endleaves.