Auguste BARTHOLDI

First edition of this album of caricatures by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi which he numbered and initialed (copy no. 36). Printed “in small numbers” (Bartholdi Museum), with only six located in institutions (Colmar Museum, BnF, Harvard, UPenn, NYPL, Rutgers University).

Publisher’s blue cloth binding, flat spine gilt-lettered lengthwise, upper board numerously framed in black, anchors and stars stamped in black at the corners, title and date gilt-stamped; lower board numerously framed in black, black stars at the corners and a central anchor, red edges. Slight rubbing to joints, faint...

Autograph letter signed and dated by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi addressed to the writer Edmond About. Two pages in black ink on a single sheet.
Traces of transverse creases inherent to mailing.
Bartholdi enthusiastically receives congratulations from Edmond About on the occasion of his marriage; however, the "future Mrs. Bartholdi" does not exist! At the time of this letter, the sculptor has no intention of entering into matrimony, despite the ceremonious letter he addresses here to his friend About, his companion in debauchery alongside Gustave Doré.
The famous sculptor addresses this enigmatic letter to Edmond About, otherwise...

Autograph signed postcard from sculptor Auguste Bartholdi addressed to Emile Straus: "All my compliments to Papyrus [one of Straus's pseudonyms] for the highly original work he sent me, with my thanks for the friendly sentiment that inspired his sending it". The front shows a reproduction of a black and white drawing depicting the citadel of Belfort and its famous lion, as well as the statue of the three sieges.
A great enthusiast of epistolary art, Emile Straus founded in 1899 La Carte postale illustrée, the newsletter of the association he had just launched, the International Poste-Carte Club.

Autograph postcard signed by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi addressed to Emile Straus: "Avec mes remerciements pour vos bons souhaits." ["With my thanks for your good wishes."] The recto features a reproduction of a black and white drawing showing the citadel of Belfort and its famous lion, as well as the statue of the three sieges.
A great enthusiast of epistolary art, Emile Straus founded in 1899 La Carte postale illustrée, newsletter of the association he had just launched, the International Poste-Carte Club.

Autograph letter signed and dated by Auguste Bartholdi to writer Edmond About. Three pages written in black on a bifolium with his letterhead.
Traces of folds inherent to mailing.

Bartholdi returns from Egypt after having presented his project for a colossal statue on the Suez Canal, whose design will eventually be used for the Statue of Liberty. The sculptor gives his impressions of the trip, and brings back silks and Persian carpets from the bazaar for his friend.
From March to April 1868, Bartholdi stayed in Egypt to submit his monument project to Viceroy Ismaïl-Pacha. The idea of building a statue at the entrance to the Suez Canal had stemmed from the sculptor's visit...