La Belle Jardiniere. Calendar for 1898

Paris: Imprimerie de Vaugirard, 1898. First edition. Stiff Wraps. Orig. decorated in color Art Nouveau portfolio. Fine. 27 x 21 cm. Twelve separate full-page color plates printed on glossy stock by prominent and less known Belle Epoque artists, depict a variety of scenes, some sporting and military, but balance more characteristic of each artist's style. such as the charming five singing children by Boutet de Monvel. A month by month list of artists follows, January through December respectively: Henri Boutet de Monvel, Leon Sabattier, Maurice Orange, E. De Monzaigle, Paul Destez, Felicien De Myrbach, Reichan, Leon L'Hermitte, A. Parys, Emile Caran d'Ache, Leopold Kowalski, and Luc-Olivier Merson. Each plate with two holes at upper margin as issued for silk ties no longer present. Issued as a promotion for a leading chain of clothing shops in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and five other French cities. Interior and covers almost as new.