[MADAGASCAR] La Revue de Madagascar - Tête de collection du N°1 au N°12

First edition and rare collection of the first 12 issues of La Revue de Madagascar, preserved in unusual bindings of incised and stained leather, decorated with Malagasy landscapes and views.

The issues are illustrated with numerous photographic reproductions.

Contemporary full mahogany-stained and incised sheep bindings, spines faded, with four raised bands and tooled decorative motifs, cold-stamped dates and volume numbers, the last volume unlettered; large African-style ornamental designs on the covers (each of the three covers is different) with incised titles; original wrappers bound in. Period bindings dated and signed by Ramanakanja, 1935.

A slip inserted in the first issue states: “La Revue de Madagascar remplace le Bulletin économique trimestriel (partie documentation).” “La Revue de Madagascar, publication officielle et luxueuse du Gouvernement Général, se plaît aussi à publier des textes littéraires” (Jean-Louis JOUBERT, Littératures de l’Océan indien).

Some rubbing to the spines; the decorative designs on the third and final volume are partially faded.

Rare early run of this scarce journal, bound in a striking African-inspired incised leather binding.