PLEASURE OF FRANCE - Lot 137

PLEASURE OF FRANCE Paris, Le rayonnement français édr, from 1934. 31.5 x 23.5 cm. irregularly paginated between 48 and 64 pp. + XV to XL p. of advertising. Extensively illustrated with color from the first issues. Set of 79 issues. Head of collection from no. 1 (Oct. 1934) to no. 63 (Dec. 1939) as independent issues, except for 1936, which is in a leather-backed publisher's binding (heavily laminated). In addition: 11 issues dating from the War and Occupation, published under the new title Images de France, namely nos. 70 (Nov. 1940), 72 (Jan. 1941), 79, 82, 89, 92, 97, 98, 99, 102 (the latter 6 with reduced pagination) and 106 of March 1944, which now comprises just 12 pp. We enclose 5 issues with no post-war follow-up: no. 123 (Jan.-Feb. 1947), no. 150 (May 1950), no. 172 (July 1952), no. 189 (April 1954) & no. 209 (March 1956). (Some spines very slightly damaged and scattered foxing, but overall very satisfactory condition). This monthly cultural information magazine, dedicated to "arts, furnishings, gardens, fashion..." and aimed at a select readership, was created by the L'Illustration editorial group, which was responsible for printing and editing, entrusted to Roger Baschet, one of the sons of the owners of the illustrated weekly. Although not as specialized as Art et décoration, or Le décor d'aujourd'hui, which were created around the same time, Plaisir de France provides a wealth of information and echoes concerning the decorative arts of the period, making it an excellent source of documentation. (GZ21)