Harris Schrank Fine Prints

Honore Daumier (1808-79), Following his Wife, lithograph, plate 35 from the series Moeurs Conjugales, 1841, published in 1843 in the Album Moeurs Conjugales, Daumier Register 658, third state (of 4). In good condition, a sur blanc impression, on wove paper, matted. 8.3 x 7.4 inches

A very good impression.

Explanation and translation from the Daumier Register:

On a trial proof of this print (which can be seen in the Dreyfus Collection) Daumier wrote underneath the image: “un mari qui decouvre sa femme en tete–tete dans un fiacre”. [a husband who discovers his wife in a tete a tete in a carriage.] The editor Goulet sent the copy on to the texter Jaime, who in turn incorporated Daumier’s text in his own, which was consequently published.

Original Text:
Ah tres bien j’en suis sur! malheureuse, v’ la une heure que je te guette……Ah! j’en suis sur!.. et, ce soir, tu me feras payer trois heures de course!

Translation:
Ah! Now I am sure of it! Wretched woman….. I have been following you for more than an hour! Ah, I knew it!…. and on top of this, you will make me [pay] this evening for a three hour ride.

Honore Daumier (1808-79), Baissez le rideau, 1834, plate 421 from Le Caricature. Daumier Register 86, only state. Sur Blanc, on wove paper. In compromised condition: tears in margins (some poorly repaired), toning, soft folds, staining verso, other defects, not matted. 9 x 10 7/8, the sheet 10 1/2 x 13 5/8 inches.

A good impression of this rare print.

Here are notes and translation from the Daumier Register:

This print shows a masterly interpretation of King Louis-Philippe dressed in the costume of a clown while the theatre curtain falls. With a sardonic smile he points at “Blind Justitia”, thereby insinuating Justice to be a farce. At the same time, the parliamentarians, disappearing in the dark, are not living up to their responsibilities to protect the judicial system. The text on this print is a quote of the last words of Rabelais. When he died drunk, he said “Draw the curtain, the farce is ended”. It is interesting to observe that the King was not to take a seat within Parliament but rather in a special box with a curtain towards the plenary.

Original Text:
Baissez le rideau, la farce est joue.

Translation:
Lower the curtain, the farce is over.

Honore Daumier (1808-79), You’re Free to Speak (Vous avez la parole), 1834, plate number 490, from La Caricature; Daumier Register 116, only state (rare); in generally satisfactory condition, the top trimmed close to the letters, toning, staining, various defects; 9 1/4 x 11 1/8, the sheet 10 3/8 x 14 inches, unmatted.

A good impression of this great rarity.

Provenance: George Longstreet, with his initial stamp recto (Lugt 4750).

Note and Translation from the Daumier Register:

Following the massacre of Rue Transnonain on April 13-14, 1834, a total of 121 legal cases were launched against the participating revolutionaries. Because of the political bias of the legal system, most of the defenders did not participate in the hearings, which they considered to be a legal farce. In the end 9 defendants were acquitted, 28 had escaped in time, while the rest were either deported or sentenced from 2 to 20 years of prison.

Original Text:
… Vous avez la parole, expliquez-vous, vous etes libre!

Translation:
Speak up…. you are free to express yourself!

Honore Daumier (1808-79), Le Gout, lithograph, plate 40 from the series Types Parisiens, 1839, an impression sur blanc from the Album Types Parisiens. Daumier Register 596, third state (of 5), In generally good condition but trimmed at the bottom edge (the letters still preserved), slight foxing in margins, 10 1/4 x 13 1/2 inches.

A very fine impression of this humorous subject.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
LE GOUT
Fichtre! je ne m’etonne pas si gaillard la a de l’esprit. . . .et il m’appelle vielle bete! donne m’en comme ca tous les matins animal, et j’en aurai aussi de l’esprit.

Translation:
THE TASTE.
Wow! I am not surprised any more why this fellow is so spirited… and he calls me an old beast! Let me have one of these every morning, and I will be full of spirit too.

Honore Daumier (1808-79), Le Cauchemar, lithograph, 1832, plate 139, published in La Caricature. Daumier Register 41, first state (of 2). In compromised condition, trimmed at the top to the line of the illustration; with various repairs, toning and fox marks, although the matix is perfectly legible. The sheet 10 5/8 x 14 inches.

A sur blanc impression; a rare print.

Here’s a summary background description from the Daumier Register:

The print shows General Lafayette, known hero of the Polish and American wars of independence. His portrait brings to mind a painting by Ary Scheffer from 1822. This lithograph represents General Lafayette with a pear on his stomach (Louis-Philippe), causing a nightmare.

This print shows the uncomfortable feeling which Lafayette nourished by helping King Louis-Philippe to power (it is only later that he will distance himself from the King and the July Revolution). In his right hand, he holds the revolutionary “Programme de l’hotel de ville”, which he was supposed to present to the King but never did.

It is the first time that a print in La Caricature presents the King in the shape of a pear. Philipon had used this symbol previously in a lithograph on Nov. 24, 1831.

The pear as trademark for King Louis-Philippe stands for stupidity and simplemindedness.

Honore Daumier (1808-79), The Bluestocking’s Husband, plate 46 from the series Moeurs Conjugales, published in 1842 in Le Charivari, and in the Album Moeurs Conjugales in 1843; an impression from the album, sur blanc (without the letterpress verso and on a quality wove paper); Daumier Register 669, second state (of 3). In excellent condition (tiny repaired tear bottom edge), 9.3 x 7.6 inches.

A fine impression.

Note: By the late 1500s, the fashion had spread to Paris where the termbas bleu(bas, stocking;bleu, blue) emerged to describe women with literary aspirations

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
LE MARI DU BAS BLEU.
Monsieur, ma femme est inspiree depuis ce matin: impossible de la voir; je suis comme vous voyez oblige de prodiguer mes soins au dernier ouvrage, que nous avons fait en collaboration!

Translation:
THE BLUESTOCKING’S HUSBAND.
Monsieur, my wife has been inspired since this morning: it is impossible to see her. As you can see, I have to give my full attention to the fruit of our most recent collaboration!

Honore Daumier (1808-79), A Man for all Seasons, lithograph, plate 2 from the series Les Parisiens en 1852, published in Le Charivari, 1852. Daumier Register 2219, second state (of 2), an impression on letterpress, from Le Charivari. In good condition apart from a water stain lower right not affecting image. 9.4 x 8.4 inches

A very good impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
Un monsieur qui s’enflamme en toute saison.

Translation:
A gentleman who gets excited in any season.

Honore Daumier (1808-79), The Results of Diplomacy, lithograph, plate 128 from the series Actualities, published in Le Charivari, 1867. Daumier Register 3581, fourth state (of 4). An impression from Le Charivari, with letterpress verso, in very good condition, 10.1 x 8 2 inches.

A very good strong impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Note: A lot of paper has been wasted by the diplomats, who had met at the World Exhibition in Paris. It is still unclear whether anything of substance has come out of all these meetings. The ragpicker shown here picking up the pieces of paper left behind believes that most of this will be used as percussion-caps.

Original Text:
– Elle en a use du papier la diplomatie en 1867, De quoi faire joliment des cartouches!

Translation:
Diplomacy really has used up some paper in 1867. This could well be used for making cartridges.

Honore Daumier (1808-79), The Art Critic, lithograph, plate 2 from the series Croquis Pris au Salon par Daumier, published in Le Charivari, 1864. Daumier Register 3294, second state (of 2). A impression from Le Charivari, with letterpress verso.

A very good, strong impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
LE VISITEUR – Oh! pour le coup voila une composition qui est reellement insensee!…. et quelle couleur!
L’ARTISTE – Cretin de bourgeois va!

Translation:
THE VISITOR: – Just look at this senseless arrangement… and these colours!… hideous!
The artist: – Cretin of a bourgeois… bugger off!

Honore Daumier (1808-79),La fortune fait oublier les amis,lithograph, plate 31 from the series Caricaturana, published in Le Charivari in 1837; later in Album Caricaturana (Les Robert Macaires) (1838). Daumier Register 385, third state (of 3) This impression is hand colored, on a cream wove paper, without letterpress verso (sur blanc), in generally good condition, paper toned toward edges. 9 x 9 inches

A very good impression, with the colors vivid.

From Daumier Register:

Original Text:
La fortune fait oublier les amis.
John ! Portez ces 500 f. a Mr le Cure pour les pauvres de la paroisse. Quon sache bien que cest moi qui les donne. Oui, Monsieur le Comte Joubliais de dire a Monsieur que cet homme est revenu. Quel homme ? Ce pauvre homme qui pretend etre un ancien ami de Mr. Le Comte, il sappelle Bertrand – Bertrand. Bertrand ! Je ne connais pas ca. Dites toujours que je ny suis pas.

Translation:
Fortune makes one forget one’s friends.
– John, take these 500 F to the minister for the poor of the parish. Be sure to make it quite clear that they came from me.
-Yes, Monsieur le Comte…. I forgot to tell Monsieur that this man has come back.
– What man?
– That poor man who pretends to be an old friend of Monsieur le Comte. His name is Bertrand.
– Bertrand? I don’t know this person… just tell him that I’m not home.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), Floating Down the River, lithograph, plate 3 from the series Les Canotiers Parisiens, 1843, published in the journal Le Charivari, and in the Album Les Canotiers Parisiens, a sur blanc impression on wove paper without the letterpress verso. In good condition (paper slightly toned), Daumier Register 1025, second state (of 3). 8 x 10 inches.

A fine impression,

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
UNE NOUVELLE MANIRE DE DESCENDRE LE FLEUVE DE LA VIE.
– Brigand de Radiguet!.. que le diable t’emporte avec ta voile a nouvelle invention… elle est cause que notre partie est tombee dans l’eau!.. – Eh ben ne voila-t-il pas de quoi pousser des cris de feu! moi je suis seulement vexe contre mon bottier… vl ames bottes qui prennent l’eau par les poches de mon pantalon!…..

Translation:
A NEW WAY TO FLOAT DOWN THE RIVER OF LIFE.
– Radiguet you rascal, to hell with you, your boat and your new invention…. it is your fault that the entire outing went down the drain.
– Come, come now…. no reason to scream hell. I am just angry about my boot-maker… since my shoes are being filled with water coming from the holes in the pockets of my pants.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), It Shouldn’t be Allowed, lithograph, plate 4 from the series Les Canotiers Parisiens, 1843, published in Le Charivari and in the Album Les Canotiers Parisiens, a sur blanc impression, on stiff quality wove paper without the letterpress verso, in very good condition. Daumier Register 1026, second state (of 3). 9.3 x 7.3 inches.

A fine clear impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
– Est-il permis de revenir de Bercy dans un etat pareil… un homme etabli… que je suis malheureuse mon Dieu!…
– Eh ben quoi?.. puisque j’aime l’eau!.. on ne peut donc plus aimer l’eau present?…

Translation:
– It really shouldn’t be allowed to return from Bercy in a state like this…. an established man like you…. I am so unhappy, my God!
– What’s wrong?…after all, I like the water…. am I not allowed to like the water anymore?

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), I’ve Only Been Ringing for an Hour, lithograph, plate 14 from the series Moeurs Conjugales, published in Le Charivari 1839, in the Album Moeurs Conjugales 1843. A sur blanc impression, on strong wove without the letterpress verso. Daumier Register 637, second state (of 2). 9.4 x 7.5 inches

A fine impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
Il n’ya pourtant qu’une heure que je le tire!…

Translation:
I’ve only been ringing for an hour!

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), Je t’ai defendu deja, lithograph, plate 11 from the series LES PHILANTROPES DU JOUR, published in Le Charivari, 1844. Daumier Register 1303, second state (of 2). 8.6 x 7.1 inches.

Provenance: Rene Gaston-Dreyfus, with his collector’s stamp verso (not in Lugt). Gaston-Dreyfus was one of the great Daumier collectors; his collection was sold in 1966 and 1968.

A fine impression, printed sur blanc, on strong wove paper with no letterpress verso.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
– Je t’ai defendu deja de m’appeler maitre… apprend que tous les hommes sont freres… animal!…

Translation:
I have already forbidden you to call me MASTER….. why don’t you understand that all men are brothers!…. you animal!

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), [Preparing for an Outing], lithograph, plate 1 from the series Les Canotiers Parisiens, a sur blanc impression from the Album Les Canotiers Parisiens (also published separately in letterpress in Le Charivari), 1843. Reference: Daumier Register 1023, fourth state (of 5), 9.7 x 7.7 inches.

A very good impression. In the mid-19th Century boating on the Seine was a popular Parisien hobby.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
– Eh bien! Rigobert… mon vieux flambard…. nous allons faire une longue traversee aujourd’hui… as-tu embarque des vivres a bord de notre navire?… – Ne m’en parle pas!… je n’ai pu rapporter que deux croquets et un hareng saur!….

Translation:
– All right Rigobert, my old friend…. we are going to make a long trip today…. did you bring enough provisions on board of our vessel?
– Don’t talk about it…. all I was able to bring along are two biscuits and a red herring.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), [Saved from Drowning], lithograph, plate 7 from the series Les Canotiers Parisiens, a sur blanc impression from the album, with binding holes at left (also published with letterpress verso in Le Charivari; Daumier Register 1029, second state (of 3); in very good condition, 10 x 7.5 inches.

A very good impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
UN HOMME SAUVE MALGRE LUI.
– Mais puisque je vous dis que je sais nager et que je me serais bien tire de l’eau sans monsieur!….
– a ne fait rien… la loi est positive… vous devez payer vingt cinq francs a votre sauveur… par exemple, s’il vous avait sauve mort vous ne lui auriez paye qu quinze francs!….

Translation:
A MAN SAVED AGAINST HIS WILL.
– But I am telling you that I know how to swim and I could have pulled myself out of the water without the help of this gentleman!
– That makes no difference…. the law is quite clear… you must pay 25 Francs to your rescuer…. for example, if you had been dead, you would only have had to pay him 15 Francs.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), [A Fair Exchange], hand colored lithograph, from the series Robert Macaire, 1836-38, published in Le Charivari and also separately sur blanc. Daumier Register 357, third state (of 3), 8 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. The matrix in adequate condition but with stains, a tear lower right (in margin), stains in margins, soft folds, other defects.

A good impression, the colors vivid.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
Robert Macaire Escompteur.
Voici mes conditions : Vous me ferez une lettre de change de 40,000 f. je vous donnerai 25 f. argent 3000 f. de moutarde blanche et de soques articules 3000 f. de pommes de terre frites, – une roue de cabriolet deux vaches quatre actions du Physionotype et un quintal de connaissances utiles.. Je nai pas dautres valeurs en portefeuille, mais cela vaut de lor.

Translation:
Robert Macaire, discount broker.
Here are my conditions. You make me out a bill of exchange for 40’000 Fr. and I’ll give you 25 Fr. in cash, 3’000 Fr. worth of white mustard and articulated clogs, 3’000 Fr. worth of chips, a carriage wheel, two cows, four shares in Physionotype and a quintal of useful facts… I don’t have any other assets in hand, but these are worth their weight in gold.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), An Unpleasant Encounter, lithograph, plate 16 from the series Les Canotiers Parisiens, 1843, published in Le Charivari; in very good condition, 10 1/2 x 8 inches. Daumier Register 1038, second state (of 4), before the lines upper left were added to suggest rainfall.

A very good impression, sur blanc (and thus on a strong wove paper, without letterpress verso)

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
UNE RENCONTRE DESAGREABLE.
Ah! Bernardel! Bernardel! . v’la le bateau a vapeur, nous sommes enfonces!

Translation:
AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER.
Bernardel, Bernardel! Here comes the steamer… we will sink!

Honore Daumier (1807-1879), Se posant en appreciateurs, lithograph, plate 10 from the series LES PARISIENS EN 1852, published in Le Charivari, 1852; an impression on letterpress with the letters from the journal verso. Reference: Daumier Register 2227, second state (of 2); in generally good condition, a water stain lower right, some horizontal folds, 9.8 x 8.6 inches.

A strong bright impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
Se posant en appreciateurs de la bonne comedie.

Translation:
They pose as lovers of a good comedy.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), A Conspiracy on the Train, plate 3 from the series En Chemin de Fer, published in Le Charivari, 1864, Daumier Register 3298, second state (of 2), 9 x 8 7/8 inches.

A very good impression, printed on letterpress (with the newsprint verso).

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
– Ils ont l’air de se concerter….. je suis bien fach d’etre monte dans ce wagon!… et dire qu’il n’y a pas moyen de faire arreter le train!

Translation:
They seem to be planning a conspiracy….how stupid of me to having chosen this compartment…. and there is no way of stopping the train!

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), Tout est Paye?, lithograph, plate 31 from the series Types Parisiens, published in La Caricature Provisoire, 1839, in generally good condition (a stain upper middle of matrix), trimmed at the top and bottom of the sheet so without the series title and plate number at the top and address data below, 6 x 8 inches.

A good impression from the early printed edition, with letterpress verso.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
TOUT EST PAYE? NOUS N’AVONS FAIT SOTTISE A PERSONNE!!……SALUT.

Translation:
EVERYTHING IS PAID FOR? AND WE DIDN’T INSULT ANYONE… BYE.

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), La Pipe Matinale, lithograph, plate 6 from the series Silhouettes, published in Le Charivari, 1841, Daumier Register 855, third state (of 3), 8 x 8 1/4 inches.

A very good impression from Le Charivari, with letterpress verso.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
LA PIPE MATINALE.
Le Tabac de caporal fait maintenant partie integrale de ce que les poetes appellent les suaves parfums du matin; et grace aux bouffes que lui envoyent de toutes parts les fumeurs, l’aurore, jadis au teint de rose, doit etre bien prs d’etre culottee.

Translation:
THE MORNING PIPE.
The corporal’s tobacco has become an integral part, as the poet says, of the morning air; and thanks to the puffs the pipe smokers are sending into the sky, the once rose colored dawn will soon take on a smoky color.