| The binding shown above is found in the online collection of the Bibliotheque nationale de France (click here to see it). This is a very interesting binding for a number of reasons, the Bibliotheque nationale de France has recognized this binding as the work of Pierre-Paul Dubuissonas and as far as we can tell they only certain about two bindings, as they only show two, for this famous binder who's influence upon the art of French decorative bookbinding surpassed by miles any other artist of his time. Truly such a minimalist presentation is an insult to Dubuisson and French Decorative bookbinding in general. It reflects a profound lack of knowledge and expertise in the BnF at the highest level, imagine if this was instead, an eighteenth century French art Museum, and they choose to show only two paintings by François Boucher and those were pastorals. We could also lament the fact that they show only 6 for Derome le jeune and not a single one of the Derome examples presented was actually the work of Derome. I have pointed out this embarrasing situation to the persons responsible, however nothing has changed for more than a year so I suppose I will be forced to go there myself in person to correct the many errors. My impression is that the bindings of the 18th century must be their last and least important concern. |
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Reliure exécutée vers 1755 à Paris attribuée à l'atelier de Pierre-Paul Dubuisson pour l'exemplaire de dédicace destiné à la marquise de Pompadour, dont le grand bloc armorial a été doré au centre des plats. La datation est proposée d'après la date d'édition du volume, la qualité de reliure de dédicace de la pièce indiquant a priori une exécution dans un court délai après parution. Quant à l'attribution, elle repose sur l'identification de la plaque poussée sur les plats, qui est répertoriée comme faisant partie du matériel de dorure de Pierre-Paul Dubuisson d'après une reliure ainsi ornée qui comporte une étiquette à son nom (Rahir, pl. 184-l ; Barber 2013, PS D). La première occurrence connue de cette plaque date de 1752, sur un Office de la semaine sainte.
Binding executed around 1755 in Paris attributed to the studio of Pierre-Paul Dubuisson for the dedication copy for the Marquise de Pompadour, whose great armorial block was gilded in the center of boards. The dating is proposed according to the date of edition of the volume, the quality of binding of dedication of the piece indicating a priori an execution in a short time after publication. As for the attribution, it is based on the identification of the plaque, which is listed as part of the gilding material of Pierre-Paul Dubuisson due to another identical plaque binding with a Dubuisson ticket (etiquette) inside ( Rahir, pl 184-l, Barber 2013, PS D). The first known occurrence of this plaque dates from 1752, on an Office of the Holy Week. |
| In Comparative Diagram 1, we have discovered some important Dubuisson imprints that are critical in determining the authenticity of Dubuisson bindings, particularly pd-21a and 21b, these imprints are found on a majority of decorated bindings by Pierre-Paul Dubuisson. The same can be said of the wave palette and rodeo palette these were some of Dubuisson's favorite tools. |
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| Even experts are sometimes wrong, before you spend thousands on a book, please do your own research! Just because I say a certain binding can be attributed to le Maitre isn't any kind of guarantee, don't take my word for it, go a step further and get your own proof. In these pages I have provided you with a way of doing just that. |
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