TOULOUSE-LAUTREC HENRI DE: (1864-1901) French painter and illustrator. A.N.S., H de T-Lautrec, to the recto and verso of his personal printed oblong 12mo Visiting Card, featuring his printed name to the centre and with no address indicated, n.d., in French. The artist writes in bold pencil and states, in full, 'Je prie M. Bella de bien vouloir faire connaitre M. Hartnik a M. Bing et le remercie de sa complaisance passee, presente et future' (Translation: 'I would ask Mr Bella to kindly introduce Mr Hartnik to Mr Bing and thank him for his past, present and future kindness'). VG

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.