Text Printed in both French and English (see Image 2):
“L’Officiel de la Bijouterie & Accessoires: Organe Artistique et Technique Destiné aux Fabricants et Détaillants pour la Diffusion et la Coordination de la Mode des Bijoux et Accessoires/Official of Jewelry and Accessories: Artistical and Technical Organ Intended for Manufacturers and Retailers for the Diffusion and Co-Ordination of the Fashions of Jewelry and Accessories,” by M. I. H. Lapidus, M. G. Chaumer, M. Pierre Lardin and M. Henri Grandjean. Paris: I. H. Lapidus, 1940.
Original Design Portfolio housed in Original Red-Felt Folder. Dated 1938 on the cover, but title page marks 1940. Given the Nazi invasion of France in that year and the scarcity of resources during World War II, it seems that the company recycled unused catalog folders from previous years, as the 1940 date is tipped in over previous dates on the title page (see Images 2 and 3), though the plates themselves are dated 1940. 4to (25cm x 32cm), 16pp., Complete with all 14, 25cm x 32cm Sepia Plates. In Good+ to VG- Minus condition: Outer folder shows wear and dust soiling: felt on the outer covers is worn with some fading; wear to the corners and edges; 0.5” split at the bottom of spine (see image 11), but the integrity is not compromised; wear and dust soiling to the interior, with some tanning along the top edge of the plates (see Images 4-8); rear page (not a plate), shows some evidence of water exposure, but no liquid stains, etc (see Image 9).
An extremely rare item, with no other comparable examples currently available.