Henry Guillier — Les Grands Vins de la Gironde

Libourne-Bordeaux, Henry Guillier, 1908 . First edition. Cloth. The scarce first edition of this impressive collection of photographic plates depicting the great wine estates of Bordeaux, serving as both a historical record and a promotional tool for the most renowned chateaux. In the original French.Illustrated with one-hundred and thirty-two plates, the vast majority of which retain the original tissue guard.Collated, lacking thirty-seven plates.A scarce photographic album that documents the Bordeaux wine region at the dawn of the 20th century, showcasing the architecture, vineyards, cellars, and daily life of the most prestigious châteaux across the region, such as Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Saint-Émilion, and Pomerol.Each plate is accompanied by explanatory text, providing context and insights into the depicted scenes, to the reverse.Housed in the publisher's original portfolio binding.This work was intended as both a documentary record and a promotional tool, distributed to hotels and wine merchants in countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.The work of photographer and postcard publisher Henry Guillier, who captured over 13,000 images of the Gironde and surrounding areas. In the publisher's original cloth portfolio binding, with plates loosely inserted. Portfolio rebacked, with back strip laid down. Externally, boards significantly age toned, with handling marks to boards, and bumping to joints. One internal folding portion of portfolio detached and loosely inserted. Internally, plates loosely inserted. Plates lightly age toned with the odd spot and handling mark, with tissue guards significantly age toned. Good . Ill.: Henry Guillier. Good .