[Rarebooks] FS: Post-War French Ocean Liners

[Kaaterskill Books]

We offer for Sale:

Five Inaugural books from the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, a 
shipping line begun by the French government in 1835 ; its huge fleet 
was decimated during the second world war, after which a rebuilding 
process began with the following ships, some reclaimed from the war, 
some newly built, all well designed, and mainly used for the 
Indo-China route. All are inaugural booklets issued in the year of 
launching of the the ship and include a foldout drawing of the ship. 
All are in French.

1. LA MARSEILLAISE. 1949. Paris: Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 
1949. Unpaged [68 pp] + adv. [46 pp]. Illus. with 18 color drawings 
(1 foldout), 48 b/w photos and drawings (1 tipped in), and many other 
illustrations. 4to. Paper wrappers with raised titles in gilt and 
blind.  First edition. Originally named the Bianca C in 1939, the 
incomplete ship was launched as the "Marechal Petain "on June 1944, 
sunk by the Germans, then raised and refitted as a cruise ship for 
the Marseilles to Yokohama run via Indo-China. The design and 
execution of her salons was by Jules Leleu (1883-1961), French Art 
Deco designer, and architect Georges Raymond with Tapestries by Jean 
Picart le Doux. Color foldout painting of the ship by Albert Brenet 
(44 x 30.5 cm), a tipped in photo of Madam Vincent Auriol, color 
drawings of the interiors, color plates of the extensive tapestries, 
and many color and b/w advertisements.  A very good copy with some 
browning to the edges of wrappers and some sunning to the rear 
wrapper.   [28192]  $125.00

  http://www.kaaterskillbooks.com/img/28192.jpg

2. CALEDONIEN. 1952. Paris: Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 
1952. Unpaged [32 pp] + adv. [22 pp]. Illus. with 32 b/w photos and 
drawings (incl. 1 foldout). 4to. Paper wrappers with raised titles in 
gilt and blind.  First edition. Decor designed by Jacques Dennery. 
Drawing of the ship by Albert Brenet (44 x 30.5 cm). A very good+ 
copy with a little browning around the edges of the wrappers. 
[28194]  $125.00

http://www.kaaterskillbooks.com/img/28194.jpg

3. CAMBODGE. 1953. Paris: Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 1953. 
Unpaged [34 pp] + adv. [19 pp]. Illus. with 40 b/w photos (1 
tipped-in) and 1 color drawing. 4to. Paper wrappers with raised 
titles in gilt and blind.  First edition. The company commissioned 
three intermediate steamers: Cambodge, Viet-Nam, and Laos, all three 
vessels intended for the Indo-China and Far East service. Decor 
designed by Jules Leleu (1883-1961), a French Art Deco designer. 
Drawing of the ship by Albert Brenet (44 x 30.5 cm) and a tipped-in 
photo of Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, and illustrated 
articles on the design of the ship and Cambodia. A very good copy 
with a faint browning and nicks on the edges of the wrappers. 
[28195]  $125.00

  http://www.kaaterskillbooks.com/img/28195.jpg

4. (Andre Arbus). VIET-NAM. 1953. Paris: Compagnie des Messageries 
Maritimes, 1953. Unpaged [34 pp] + adv. [26 pp]. Illus. with 29 b/w 
photos (2 tipped-in) & 8 color photos & drawings (incl. 1 foldout). 
4to. Paper wrappers with raised titles in gilt and blind.  First 
edition. Decor designed by Andre Arbus (1903-1969), French Art Deco 
and modernist architect, designer, furniture maker, and sculptor. 
Drawing of the ship by Roger Chapelet (44 x 30.5 cm), tipped-in 
photos of Bao Dai and Nam-Phuong, and illustrated articles on the 
design of the ship, the interior (written by Arbus) and Viet Nam. A 
very good copy, wrappers with some soiling, edgewear, and a little 
browning.   [28196]  $150.00

  http://www.kaaterskillbooks.com/img/28196.jpg

5. LAOS. 1954. Paris: Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 1954. 
Unpaged [42 pp] + adv. [22 pp]. Illus. with 51 b/w photos and 1 
foldout color plate. 4to. Paper wrappers with raised titles in gilt 
and blind.  First edition. Decor designed by Jean Pascaud 
(1903-1996), French Art Deco designer. Color foldout drawing of the 
ship by Roger Chapelet (44 x 30.5 cm), tipped-in photos of the King 
and Queen of Laos, Sisavang Vong and Khon Phan Thia, and illustrated 
articles on the design of the ship, the interior, and Laos. A very 
good copy with some minor edgewear.   [28197]  $125.00

  http://www.kaaterskillbooks.com/img/28197.jpg



Regards,

Charles Kutcher
Kaaterskill Books
P.O. Box 122
East Jewett, NY 12424.
Phone: 518-589-0555.
Email: books at kaaterskillbooks.com
Member of I. O. B. A.


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