Sellier, P, active 1890s

Date: 1893 - 1894

By: Sellier, P, active 1890s

Reference: A-340-044/053

Description: Ink drawings prepared as book illustrations showing Pacific Islanders, mostly from the early nineteenth century. The source of most of the drawings is unknown; some have been copied from previous publications. From the dates of those publications, it is estimated that these drawings date to the no earlier than the 3rd third of the nineteenth century. They were published in Pauline Cocherie, Les parures primitives (Paris, Furne et Jouvet, 1894). Each drawing carries inscriptions in two different hands, giving the geographical location of each subject, the volume number in which it was to be used, and the page or folio number on which it was to appear. Some also have longer notes on the illustration. From the numbering, the projected publication was to have at least three volumes, possibly all with continuous numbering (numbers up to 111 are noted). None carries a signature but four of the ten carry what appears to be a set of initials, P S The subject of most is personal adornment - jewellery, tattooing, head-dresses, flowers. Island locations are: Marquesas, Nukahiva, Santa Cruz, Mangareva, Iles Viti [Fiji], New Guinea, Soloman Islands, Tahiti. Research by the vendor of the drawings established that they are originals for Les parures primitives by Mme P. Cocheris. (Paris, Furne & Jouvet, 1894). A second edition was published in 1914. The book was illustrated with drawings by P. Sellier Other Titles - Cocheris, Pauline. Les parures primitives. Paris, Furne & Jouvet, 1894 Quantity: 10 drawing(s). Physical Description: Pen and ink drawings, sizes varying up to 235 x 160 mm. Provenance: Purchased in 2006. The vendor previously bought them from a Paris vendor.