The Danger of Passions (Le danger des passions)
Honore Daumier (1808-1879), from La Pêche, lithograph, 1840 [with Signature h.D. lower left Chez Bauger, R.du Croissant 16 lower center Chez Aubert, gal.Véro-Dodat. lower right Imp. d'Aubert & Cie., in the plate]. Reference: Daumier Register 820, second state (of 2). This print appeared in La Caricature 2e série, nr. 36, and also Album Comique. On an ivory wove paper, in generally good condition, with margins (handling folds, writing on verso, soiling in margins, tiny loss lower left corner, browning toward edges, 11 3/4 x 7 1/2, the sheet 12 7/8 x 9 3/8 inches, archival window matting.
A fine impression sur blanc, before the final state which was published in the journal Le Caricature, which had newsprint verso. The sur blanc impressions were published in quite limited editions for collectors (typically 100 or so impressions), in this case prior to the wider publication of the lithograph. Collectors generally preferred the sur blancs because the paper was better grade, there was no newsprint to show through and, in this instance since the sur blanc was made before publication, the lithographic stone was in near-pristine condition and thus the printing quality was quite fine.
Original Text: Le danger des passions ou Souvent l’on se trouve entrainé plus loin qu’on ne voudrait. Translation: The danger of indulging in a hobby, or, often one finds oneself carried away a bit further than one wants.
$350