275 - SEM, as Georges Goursat was known. Album and two posters.

SEM, as Georges Goursat was known. Album and two posters. Bordeaux social life at the end of the 19th century as seen by SEM: an album featuring a valuable autograph dedication signed with his civil surname, complete with all 11 color lithographic plates and accompanied by two period advertising posters. Bordeaux, Librairie Nouvelle, n.d. [1889]. Folio (500 x 325 mm), paperback, cream-colored cover adorned with the title in Japanese-style typeface enhanced with palladium. 2 unnumbered folios (preface), 11 color plates, including one spread across two pages, 10 pages of advertisements printed in red (at the beginning and end of the volume). Cover faded with marks and stains; fragile stitching with two small tears on the spine; corners slightly dog-eared; a few snags and tears along the edges of the covers and plates. The last plate has a 6-cm tear with no loss of material (as does the second advertising leaflet). First edition and first printing of this rare children’s album by Sem (1863–1934), created well before his famous Parisian series. He satirically sketches Bordeaux high society (the Marquis du Vivier, Elvita Guera, Dick de Gernon, Maître Peyrecave, etc.). The album consists of 11 color-enhanced lithographs, including a large, double-page narrative plate (scenes of carriages and horses). It is enhanced by a dedication from the illustrator at the beginning of the preface, signed “G. Goursat.” Signatures under Sem’s civil name are rare, as the artist almost immediately adopted his monolithic pseudonym. Included are two posters from the same period in Bordeaux: - Caricature of the Bourgeoisie (Bordeaux, circa 1890; transverse creases, small marginal tears, foxing, and slight signs of wear along the edges). Large color lithographic poster (70 x 54 cm) signed “SEM” in red on the plate. A wealthy, potbellied Bordeaux notable is depicted with angel wings and a celestial star above his head. - Le Théâtre Français (Bordeaux, 1901, normal creases and scattered foxing, small marginal tears). Color lithographed poster (50 x 32 cm) signed in red on the plate. A satirical portrait depicting a theatrical figure with a large red nose from the Belle Époque. A beautiful, uncommon set.