*THÉOPHILE ALEXANDRE STEINLEN (1859-1923 )Illustrations for Paul Delmet, Chansons de Femmes, Paris, Enoch et Cie, 1897; illustrations for Paul Delmet, Chansons de Montmartre, Paris, Enoch et Cie, 1898. Lithograph. Sheets (filled): [195 x 290]. Crauzat 184 to 198 and 594; 219 to 233 and 598. Works in the form of double sheets with the ornate title on the 1st plate and the lithograph on the 3rd page. 30 proofs on glazed vellum with binding holes. Slight oxidation to the edges of the leaves. Joint : 3 booklets of songs (8 pages not bound) including the printed score, illustrated with a lithograph on the cover : Le Printemps à pleins verres (poetry by L. Durocher, music by Paul Delmet) ; Sonnez, Musettes ! (poetry of L. Durocher, music of Paul Delmet); Fleurettes (poetry of G. Porcher, music of Paul Delmet). Paris, Enoch et Cie. 1897-1899. [270 x350]. Crauzat 231 and 465, 476, 478. Slight oxidation and light foxing. Long tear across 1st board to last, formerly consolidated with adhesive (oxidized). Stamp of Willemot, merchant in Bordeaux, on the 1st. In addition, book defaults, reproductions, newspaper covers (Gil Blas, Le Mirliton, Le Journal...) Miscellaneous damage. The popular singer and composer Paul Delmet was known for his romances: songs full of tenderness and melancholy, which he performed in his supple baritone at Le Chat Noir. His Chansons de femmes were very popular with the Parisian public. The sheet music illustrated by Steinlen was in great demand, and the songs were performed at many café-concerts. During the 1890s Steinlen seems to have changed his choice of subject matter. Whereas he had previously portrayed social injustice almost exclusively, the subjects of his later illustrations can often be described as charming and even intimate. This is also true of the fifteen delightful lithographs of elegant women of the city - depicted in the street and in their homes - which appear together in this song-book with typography by George Auriol." (Fleur Roos Rosa de Carvalho, Marije Vellekop, Printmaking in Paris; The Rage for prints at the fin de siècle, Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum, 2012, p. 159). All lots in this sale are subject to an additional 5.5% temporary import tax charge. In the event of re-exportation outside the European Union, this charge may be refunded to the buyer.