[MAISON HERMES] Cent ans, ou Quelques réflexions sur la collection particulière de M. H***

First edition printed to commemorate the centenary of the House of Hermès, one of the nominative copies on Imperial Japanese paper, this one inscribed for Mr. Saur.

Illustrated with 10 in-text vignettes, 6 full-page three-colour drawings, and photographic reproductions of Hermès products on 6 leaves devoted respectively to saddlery, polo, tobacco, leather goods, golf, and travel accessories.

Only three copies listed in the CCF (BnF, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Rennes).

Publisher’s Bradel binding in full flexible fawn board, flat spine without title, decorative endpapers and pastedowns.

A handsome commemorative booklet published for the 100th anniversary of the House of Hermès.

Text and illustrations by the renowned designer and graphic artist Maximilien Vox (1894–1974).

Strictly speaking, the creation of the company cannot date back much earlier than 1837, when Thierry Hermès (1801–1878) opened his first workshop at 56 rue Basse-du-Rempart (now disappeared), near the church of La Madeleine. He worked as a master harness-maker and saddler, designing, crafting and selling harnesses and horse equipment. It was in the 1920s that the Hermès name expanded into men’s and women’s fashion, watchmaking, jewellery, sports and city accessories, and interior design.

A rare and appealing copy.