137 - MONNIER (Henry). Parisian Encounters: A Picturesque Mosaic, Sketched from Life Amid the Pleasures, Activities, Occupations, Idleness, Quirks, Vices, Misery, Luxury, and Extravagance of the Capital’s Inhabitants. P., Gihaut (lithography by Senefelder), undated (1828). Small oblong quarto, Bradel full green perforated binding, title label on the spine and centered on the front cover, untrimmed, cover reinforced.

MONNIER (Henry). Parisian Encounters: A Picturesque Mosaic, Sketched from Life Amid the Pleasures, Activities, Occupations, Idleness, Quirks, Vices, Misery, Luxury, and Extravagance of the Capital’s Inhabitants. P., Gihaut (lithography by Senefelder), undated (1828). Small oblong quarto, Bradel full green perforated binding, title label on the spine and centered on the front cover, untrimmed, cover reinforced. FIRST EDITION. A beautiful album consisting of a lithographed cover printed on green paper, an illustrated title page, and 39 (out of 40; “Habitants de la Chaussée d’Antin” is missing) lithographs, hand-colored at the time of publication and featuring wide margins. Rare. Monnier, who had intended to become a notary, left the law firm where he was working to join Girodet’s studio. He then took an interest in caricature and quickly developed his spontaneous and keenly observant style. His drawings became fashionable beginning in 1825. Monnier was also a famous actor and displayed as much originality with his stage characters as he did with his caricatures. Beraldi, 178–218. 4 plates with narrower margins, slight scattered foxing.