140 - Menus - Les Compagnons de la Belle Table, 1947–1966. Complete collection of the 100 menus from Les Compagnons de la Belle Table. In-4 booklets. All illustrations are etchings, woodcuts, or lithographs in black or color. The collection includes signed works by: Baudier, Berthommé Saint-André, Bouroux, Brayer, Brissaud, Colin, Decaris, De Hérain, Odette Denis, Dignimont, Elsen, Fabiano, Fouqueray, Galanis, Georg, Hasegawa, Louis Icart, Jacquemin, Jamar, Josso, Paul Jouve, Edouard Léon, Lepape, Marti-Bas, Marty, Jacques Nam, Margat, Piéchaud, Quesneville, Reboussin, Mlle Sachner, Sandoz, Sauvage, Thouvenot, Van Lloy, Vertès, Georges Villa, Zyg-Brunner. Note that the illustration for the 44th dinner is a work by Edouard Marcel Sandoz, a member of La Belle Table, enhanced with watercolor, signed in pencil, and numbered 40/60. Included are two “non-dinner” engravings that were printed as part of the CHARDIN prizes awarded by the Company in 1953 and 1954. The Association des Compagnons de la Belle Table was founded on April 22, 1947, during a friendly dinner by the painter and engraver Georges VILLA (1883–1965), with the assistance of Curnonsky. The members met several times a year and, on each occasion, published the menu for their dinner, featuring on the front page an original signed engraving or lithograph created specifically for the occasion, with a limited print run—ranging from 60 to 106 copies on fine paper, depending on the dinner. The purpose of the Compagnons de la Belle Table association was to “forge a bond between discerning gourmets and advocates of French tourism in search of everything that can enhance the table and French cuisine (decor, works of art, books, illustrated menus, engravings….) during select meals or gatherings, and the desire to originally publish, for the benefit of its members and the guests at each meal, illustrated menus engraved by the finest artists and engravers of the time, and to foster or encourage all expressions of Parisian elegance and spirit—of which gastronomy would be the driving force—and to assist, to the best of its ability, engravers in need.” After the death of its President, Georges Villa, in 1965, the Compagnons decided to organize a 100th and final dinner in tribute to its founder and with a view to dissolving the Company. This dinner took place on December 1, 1966, at the restaurant “Chez MAXIM’S,” during which the members of the company were presented with a “Compagnon” diploma—which had been prepared long ago by Georges Villa—as well as two “non-dinner” engravings that had been printed as part of the CHARDIN prizes awarded by the company in 1953 and 1954. This set of menus is in very good overall condition, though there are a few slight foxing spots on some of the menus. Photographs of each menu are available upon request.