Panidochème ou Toutes Sortes de Voitures

Paris: Chez Ch. Motte, 1830. A Rare Book on Coaching
Twelve Superb Lithograph Plates

ADAM, Victor. [Panidochème ou Toutes Sortes de Voitures par V. Adam 1830]. Paris: Chez Ch. Motte, 1830.

First Charles Motte edition (preceded only by the 1828 Gihaut Frères hand colored issue with 36 plates).

Oblong folio (10 1/4 x 13 5/8 inches; 260 x 346 mm.). Twelve superb lithograph plates. The plates are numbered 1 thru 12 and all have the imprint "V. Adam delt." & "Lith de C. Motte." All plates have the small oval blind-stamp of the publisher on the lower blank margins. Plates 11 & 12 have neatly repaired tears on right blank margin, not affecting image. A few plates with light marginal toning and or minimal foxing.

Early twentieth century quarter black morocco over marbled boards, smooth spine ruled and lettered in gilt.

The quality of the lithography is absolutely stunning - a rare book on the most common method of travel in the early nineteenth century.

"A retrospective exhibition of engravings and "lithographes d'attelage" was held in 1900, exhibiting ancient coaches, and included many of Adam's lithographs and engravings both in black and white and in colour." (Menassier).

Jean-Victor Adam (1801-1867) was a French painter and lithographer. Born in Paris he was the son of Jean Adam, an esteemed engraver. During the years 1814 to 1818 he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and also in the ateliers of Meynier and Régnault. In 1819 he exhibited 'Herminia succouring Tancred.' He was almost immediately afterwards employed to paint various subjects for the Museum at Versailles, amongst which are, 'The Entry of the French into Mainz,' 'The Battle of Varroux,' 'The Taking of Menin, 'The Battle of Castiglione,' 'The Passage of the Cluse,' 'The Battle of Montebello,' 'The Capitulation of Meiningen;' the last three in association with Alaux. He also exhibited down to the year 1838: 'Henry IV., after the Battle of Coutras,' 'Trait of Kindness in the Duke de Berri,' 'The Postillion,' 'The Vivandiere,' 'The Road to Poissy,' 'The Return from the Chase,' 'Horse-fair at Caen,' and numerous other subjects. He then retired from publicity, till 1846, when he appeared as the exhibitor of some works in lithography, to which branch of art he afterwards restricted himself. In this line he produced a lithographic album, 'Views in the Environs of Paris,' 'Studies of Animals for an edition of Buffon,' &c. He obtained a gold medal in 1824, a second class medal in 1836, besides several others from Lille, Douai, and other cities. He died at Viroflay in 1866.

The Plates: 1. Courses. 2. Landau. 3. Coucous. 4. Tilbury. 5. Caleche a la Daumont. 6. Voiture de Roulier. 7. Coupé et Tilbury à Capote. 8. Voiture pour les Environs de Paris. 9. Dormeuse de Voyage. 10. Caisson de la Garde Royale. 11. Berline. 12. Calèche à Capote.