VUILLIER, Gaston Plaisirs & jeux depuis les origines. 279 plates and vignettes after original paintings, prints and drawings. 19 heliogravures, frontispiece after a watercolor by the author. Paris J. Rothschild 1900 In-4°; 19 h.-t. (text n.c., one p. unbound). Bradel green half calf with corners, red perc. boards with gilt titles, smooth spine decorated, gilt t., color cover on board (binding slightly disbound). First edition of this historical encyclopedia of gambling in France. Complete with the 19 heliogravures protected by pink serpents. One of the copies of the current edition on luxury tinted paper (n° 2914).

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.