BRUNELLESCHI (Umberto). The Masks and Characters of the Italian Comedy. Paris : Au bureau du Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1914. - Oblong folio album, 380 x 486 : (6 ff.), 12 plates, illustrated cover. In sheets, in publisher's cardboard folder with flaps. Superb album celebrating the characters of the Italian Comedy, prefaced by Gérard d'Houville and including 12 remarkable colour plates by Umberto BRUNELLESCHI, representing Harlequin, Doctor Ballanzone, Brighella, Coralline, Florindo, Giacometta, Mezzetin and Colombine, Pantalon, Rosaura, Scaramouche, Tartaglia, and Trivellino. Edition at 415 copies, this one being one of the 400 on large Arches vellum. Bends to the cover, tears to the spine. Hardback cover faded, missing links. The plates and the text leaves are perfectly preserved. Without case.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.