LE RIRE Journal Humoristique Jan 1 -Dec 31 1898 Nos 165-217 but lacking 177-184. 186,193, 214 216 (which were never bound in) by :

Directeur Felix JUVEN Paris . LE RIRE was the most successsful of the many illustrated journals started in France at the end of the l9th Century. It was founded by Felix JUVEN in l894. This was a particularly auspicious time to start such an illustrated paper. Paris at ther period was a magnet for artists from all over Europe and was given a further boost after the Universal Exhibiton of l900. Many of these were fairly radical in their views adn were able to express their views through their work.. This ensured that there was an extraordinary pool of fine draughtsmen at the disposal editors of journals such as La Vie Parisienne, L'Indiscret, Journal Amusant, L.'Assiette Au Beurre and of course LE RIRE The contributors included Forain, Vallotton, Iribe, Leandre, Huard, Gerbault, Caran D'Ache, Bruneslleschi Bac Mirandre, Metivet, Galanis, Willette , Kupka, Juan Gris, Jaques Villon and many others. The subject matter spans a vast range from the whimsical to the satirical; from the unkind to the absurd. Probably the most common subject might come under the general title of "The Battle of the Sexes"(Marriage, flirting, family life, exploitation of workers etc) . Each issue of l6 or 20 pages ; the contents mostly consisted of humorous drawings.. But the most striking feature are the full -page coloured drawing to the front and back covers and in most issues two further coloured pages inside. This volume nicely boundin red half leather (postage at cost)