Au bureau du journal amusant

First edition, first printing of this rare album, with its precious publisher's lithographed green cover by Belin and twenty original captioned lithographed plates by Gustave Doré.
One of Doré's earliest efforts, his debut album of illustrations he published at age twenty-two: "In this album, Doré begins to display an unprecedented mastery of comedy and exuberance. We are constantly drawn in by the abundant playfulness of his verve, and, as Béraldi says, 'by a very accurate, very witty and yet measured observation'"(Henri Leblanc, Catalogue de l'oeuvre complète de Gustave Doré).
Later olive-green 3/4 Russian morocco binding, faded spine, light scuffing to the corners, marbled pastedowns and endleaves, original covers preserved, binding signed Ch. Septier.