[FRANC-MACONNERIE] Unique recueil de 38 planches lithographiées

A probably unique copy, comprising pulls of proofs of Masonic illustrations containing 38 plates, the majority double-page, numbered in red pencil from 1 to 40 (discontinuous numbering, with bis plates).

Not recorded in Caillet or Dorbon.

Bound in full black cloth, smooth spine, no lettering, title label pasted onto the upper cover, modern binding.

A restored tear in the left margin of plate 10, two angular tears in the left margin of plate 12 without affecting the image. Published by the Masonic booksellers Teissier et Cie, lithographed by J. Rigal et Cie and, in some cases, by A. Appert.

A highly interesting document on nineteenth-century Freemasonry

At the beginning of the volume, several plates depicting allegories of Freemasonry are signed Rambert, some dated 1862.

Issued in folio format (the usual issue being small quarto), they were intended to illustrate Le Rameau d'or d'Eleusis, a work by the Grand Master of the Rite of Memphis (one of the Egyptian Masonic rites), Jacques-Etienne Marconis de Nègre (1795-1868).

The illustrator, Charles-Désiré Rambert (1824-1877), is described by Alfred Fournier, cited by Beraldi (Les graveurs du XIXème siècle, vol. XI, pp. 167-169), as an "Hercule, à la physionomie singulièrement expressive et étrange : tête de mulâtre rappelant Alexandre Dumas [...] et des yeux, absolument particuliers, des yeux d'inspiré"

Other unsigned illustrations relate to models of Masonic diplomas: several plates concern the Grand Orient of Haiti, others Rome or Venezuela.

The mention "à effacer" has been added in pencil on certain lithographs. Bookseller, publisher and dealer in Masonic regalia,

Charles-Adolphe Teissier (1801-1863) was an officer of the Grand Orient de France.

After his death, his widow and two sons continued the business under the name "Teissier et Compagnie", at 37, rue de Grenelle-Saint-Honoré (which became 37, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1868).

Both addresses are mentioned in the present collection, which may be dated between 1860 and 1870.