About the cover:

Full-grain binding Yellowish-brown morocco leather, 4 bands, large floral patterns on spine, front and back covers with green, blue, brown and reddish-brown leather overlays and black line printing, hand-gilded title on spine; three-sided gold edging and hand-engraved headband; mirror with wide leather edge with 6 narrow and one wide blind-printed line; fabric area in the centre with special pattern, flyleaf in the same fabric. Slipcase with leather-reinforced opening, covered with coloured paper.

About the content:

Auguste de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam: Akëdysséril Copy no. 4 of 5 copies on Japon ancien, hand-coloured watercolours by Georges Rochegrosse, total of 190 copies. Édition Louis Conard, Paris, 1906

The story is set in an exotic landscape and tells of the encounter between a mysterious priest and the beautiful Akëdysséril, a woman of extraordinary grace. The work explores the tension between spiritual purity and the transitory, sensual world. The character of Akëdysséril embodies an unapproachable beauty that represents a mixture of fascination and unattainability.

About the artist: Henri Noulhac was an important French bookbinder of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and known for his ornate Art Nouveau and Art Deco bindings. In his Paris studio, he created masterful works incorporating floral patterns, geometric shapes and fine materials such as leather and gold. His bindings were shown at international exhibitions, contributing to the worldwide recognition of French bookbinding.

Noulhac collaborated with renowned authors and collectors and produced bindings for precious books that were outstanding in both artistry and craftsmanship.

He also worked for Pierre Legrain. One of his students was Rose Adler. His works were internationally acclaimed and are now considered collector's items. Noulhac leaves behind a lasting legacy in the history of the art of bookbinding.