Albert Maignan, “Merlin the Enchanter and the Fairy of the Lake”, 1904

Albert Maignan (also known as Albert Pierre René Maignan) (1845–1908)

“Merlin the Enchanter and the Fairy of the Lake” (“Merlin l’enchanteur et la fée du Lac” or “Merlin l'enchanteur et la fée Viviane”), 1904

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on heavy cream laid paper (A. Porcabeuf watermark) with wide margins as issued. Published in Paris by the Société des Amis de l'Eau-forte (Society of Friends of Etching, founded in Paris in 1897) and bearing the publisher’s dry stamp (blind stamp) of the ligature letters “AEF” in the lower left margin. This print was not part of a narrative series on Arthurian legends. Instead, it was issued exclusively as a loose impression for the society's annual subscription portfolio, “Exercice 1904.”

Although published by the Société des Amis de l'Eau-forte (as authenticated by the dry stamp), this impression represents an early state of the plate—characterised by pure etching with crisp linework and delicate linear shading. It demarcates a state before letters and additional tonal work, predating the version seen in some public collections (such as inventory no. E 2019-0347-009 at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève), which features substantial additional cross-hatching, heavy tonal linework, and added lettered text in the lower right reading: “IMPRIMÉ POUR LA VILLE DE GENÈVE.”

The society strictly limited its membership roster to approximately 100 to 200 elite collectors during this period. Consequently, the contemporary edition size for this 1904 printing is exceptionally small (approx. 100 copies), making extant impressions highly scarce.

A strong, rich, and well-printed impression with excellent contrast. The sheet features exceptionally wide margins as originally issued. Aside from a few small closed tears confined to the outer left edge of the sheet and minor surface marks on the verso, the paper remains in excellent condition. It is entirely free of holes, folds, foxing, or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 61.6 x 44 cm
• Platemark: 52.7 x 39.1 cm
• Image borderline: 41.8 x 30 cm

References:

• Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève: inv. no. E 2019-0347-008 (matching this impression)
• Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève: Inv. no. E 2019-0347-009 (later impression)

Price & Shipping:

AU$288 (approximately US$203.48 / €175.24 / £151.55), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this rare, early-state impression—capturing a dream-like, poetic interaction between a mesmerised Merlin and the captivating Viviane—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.

Louis Orr, “Hotel de Sens”, 1919

Louis Orr (1879–1966)

“Hotel de Sens”, 1919

About the Subject:

This large and finely executed etching shows a dramatic street-level view looking down the Rue du Figuier beside the Hôtel de Sens in Paris. The building is of immense architectural importance, being one of only two remaining examples of a grand 15th-century private palace in the city. Originally constructed as the residence for the Archbishop of Sens, it embodies the historic spirit of old Paris. Louis Orr’s rendering captures the rugged texture of its stone façade and the striking projection of its turret into the alleyway, evoking a sense of the building’s storied past. This atmospheric quality is further enhanced by his inclusion of local figures in period dress, going about their daily lives.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with rich plate tone on heavy wove paper with wide margins as issued. Published in Paris by the Chalcographie du Louvre and bearing the publisher’s official dry stamp (blind stamp) at lower centre.

This is an exceptionally strong and crisp impression—near faultless—displaying beautiful and nuanced tonal contrast. Aside from a small closed tear at the upper edge of the sheet, the sheet is in excellent condition—completely free of holes, folds, abrasions, foxing, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 63 x 44.5 cm
• Platemark: 51.5 x 31.8 cm
• Image borderline: 46.8 x 30.4 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within image (lower-left edge): “Louis Orr Paris 1919”
• Below the image (left): “[scratched signature] Louis Orr”
• Below the image (centre): “HOTEL * DE * SENS / Eau=forte Originale par Louis Orr / CHALCOGRAPHIE DU LOUVRE”

References:

•  Louvre Reference: No. 6690, (P.-J. Angoulvent, “La Chalcographie du Louvre – Catalogue Général”, 1933, Musée National du Louvre, p. 448, no. 6690)
• Permanent collection of the Art Museum of the National University of Colombia (UNAL), Pizano Collection, inv. no. 1084.

Price & Shipping:

AU$282 (approximately US$199.45 / €171.98 / £148.68), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this large and dramatically imposing view of the late-medieval Hôtel de Sens, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Charles Jacque, “Les Liseurs”, 1844

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)

“Les Liseurs” (The Readers) Also known as “Liseurs (effet de lumière)” and “Chanteurs Nocturnes”, 1844

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on wove paper with wide margins. Printed in Paris by Auguste Delâtre (also known as Auguste Marie Delâtre, 1822–1907) in 1853 (dated by the period the printer occupied the inscribed address). The print is numbered “5” from a series of etchings by Jacque executed between 1843 and 1845 and published by the Alliance des Arts (Marchant), bearing the ink stamp “555” in the lower-right corner. Although Guiffrey’s (1868) catalogue of Jacque’s prints does not record this specific lettered state, Guiffrey notes that in the second state, engraved lines were added to the figure (see pp. 38–39).

The impression is richly inked and well-printed, showing slight signs of plate wear to the more distant face. The sheet remains in near pristine condition—entirely free of tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

British Museum Description:

“The readers: a man seen half-length, standing in the dark, his face lit by candlelight, reading a letter and smiling; another figure reads over his shoulder; finished state, with hatching on the neck and the forehead of the main figure, with production and publication detail. 1844” (BM no. 1889,0608.24).

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 32 x 24.6 cm
• Platemark: 14.6 x 14.5 cm
• Image borderline: 12 x 12 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Below the image (left): “5. (Alliance des Arts) Merchant, r. de Rivoli, 140 / [scratched signature] CH. JACQUE”
• Below the image (right of centre): “Imp Aug Delatre Rue de la Bucherie, 6”

References:

•  Guiffrey 20 (J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches,” 1868, Paris, Lemaire, pp. 38–39, cat. no. 20 [Note: this lettered state is undocumented])
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1889-0608-24  
• IFF 64 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 103, cat. no. 64)— https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f115.item    
• Beraldi 20 (Henri Beraldi, “Les Graveurs du Dix-Neuvième Siècle: GUÉRIN–LACOSTE,” vol. VIII, 1889, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 177, cat. no. 20)

Price & Shipping:

AU$254 (approximately US$179.78 / €154.83 / £133.70), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this dramatically bold 19th-century depiction of candlelight illuminating two figures reading—note in particular the clusters of parallel strokes above the flare of the flame, suggesting not only the three-dimensional form of the ball of light but also connoting a sense of almost atmospheric turbidity as it fades into darkness—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.