19th century, French book of modernist and surrealist drawings.

This is an item we have had for a while and it could be fairly significant. My guess is that it was deaccessioned from a library, gallery or most probably a newspaper or magazine. Many of the 19th century French artists did cartoons and illustrations for newspapers and magazines to help supplement their meager incomes. It is only speculation on my part but I believe this was on file at a newspaper or magazine and as they needed an illustration for a story they simply tore one out of these oversize books of original art. Think of it as early clip-art. Most have been torn out but these remain. The book itself is 11 1/4 x 13 3/4 and about 1/4" thick because so much as been torn out. It is numbered 207. It is available for purchase here

Your feedback and comments are welcome on this item or any post. These could be by important French modernists.

#surrealism