Éclectiques (Société des) A lot of invitations illustrated by Docteur Gachet, Aglaüs Bouvenne, Frédéric Régamey, Letourneau, etc. 1872-1889. Etching; drypoint; aquatint. Circa 1883-1900. Each approx. [220 x 280]; that of Gachet [128 x 105]. Fine proofs on vellum or laid paper. Dusting, oxidation, foxing and short tears to some leaves. Full margins. Set of 22 p. "The Société des Éclectiques was founded on April 8, 1872 by aquafortists and poets, and continued its activities for thirty years until 1902. Meetings or "dinners" were held on the first Sunday of each month [...and] at various restaurants: Chez Deluc 68 rue de Seine, Chez Lafitte 5 rue Taranne (which disappeared when Boulevard Saint-Germain was built), Chez Deshays rue de Saint-Mandé at the corner of Cours de Vincennes, and Chez Blot.These friendly gatherings resembled, according to the minutes, more the gatherings of irreverent anticlerical potaches than anything else, despite the presence of Émile Bin, who became mayor of Montmartre after Clemenceau, and was later dismissed for painting a portrait of General Boulanger. [...] In this cheerful company were the sculptor Guillemin, the bookseller Voisin, the journalist and writer Ernest d'Hervilly, Charles Asselineau (who needs no introduction), and the greatest illustrator of his time, Félix Régamey..." (Bernard Vassor, "Le Montmartre", p. 4). (Bernard Vassor, "Le Docteur Gachet et la Société des Éclectiques", online article on the blog "Autour du père Tanguy").