L'Empire des légumes. Mémoires de Cucurbitus Ier. Drôleries végétales G. de Gonet, Paris n. d. [1851], 18 x 25,8 cm, half shagreen
First, rather rare edition, illustrated with a frontispiece and 24 plates finely engraved on steel with watercolor decoration (on
papier fort), representing anthropomorphic vegetables in various situations, delightfully sketched by Amédée Varin. Each plate is a voyage of discovery, brimming with imagination, whimsy, and irony. One of the masterpieces of Romantic caricature.
Half brown shagreen binding, spine in five compartments decorated with gilt floral motifs, handmade endpapers, contemporary binding.