143 - (Louis JOU). THE WAY OF THE CROSS.

(Louis JOU). THE WAY OF THE CROSS. Paris, Louis Jou, 1915–16. In-plano, loose sheets, in a folder with flaps (Eyraud binding). A superb set of one of the artist’s most beautiful engraved works, consisting of 15 plates mounted on mat boards, all numbered and signed in pencil. ONE OF 40 COPIES ON ANCIENT JAPANESE PAPER. A fine copy enhanced by an original dedication, signed and dated in pencil on the title plate: “To Mr. Eugène RODRIGUES, as a token of gratitude and great admiration: your Louis JOU, Christmas 1916” The copy is complete with the colophon on the inside back cover of the portfolio with flaps; exceptional due to its recipient, Eugène Rodrigues, who served for 32 years as president of the Société des 100 Bibliophiles: founded in late March 1895, E. Rodrigues was elected President on July 15, 1896, upon the death of PIAT, and remained so until his own death on April 20, 1928; he thus left a powerful mark on the Society and did not entrust to anyone else the “conceptual design” of the works published by the “100”; In particular, he was totally opposed to “reproduction engravings”: the selected artist had to be capable of engraving his own work—in wood, stone, or copper; Louis JOU obviously met this criterion, and Rodrigues, in the publication announcement for this series, praised him in these terms: “…I was taken by an unexpected shock; their appearance suggested to me new sensations and brilliant hopes.” (Sheet, No. 10). “The first and one of the finest sets of woodcuts by Louis JOU.” Wear to the cardboard cover.