February 17, 2010

Pleasant illustrations by Mister Boucher

Born in Chartres, Lucien Boucher (1889-1971) studies at the School of Ceramics in Sèvres and makes his debut as a cartoonist for the magazine Le Rire. He also works for the magazine Fantasio. After the First World War, he participates in the revival of the illustrated book by working for the publisher Marcel Seheur. Thus appears La Batrachomyomachie (1920) or Boutiques de la Foire (1926) by Pierre Mac Orlan, author for whom he illustrates many first editions. He pursues a parallel career as a poster for the film and fashion industry. He is known for his long collaboration with Air France, a company for which he produces posters and world maps.
Thick lines, simplified shapes, contrasting colours : the style of Lucien Boucher is typical of that of the interwar.


Currently, the librairie Loliée offers :
  • [Boucher (Lucien)] - Homère. La Batrachomyomachie. Poème attribué à Homère. Translaté du grec en français par Mario Meunier, orné de bois gravés par Lucien Boucher. Paris, Chez Marcel Seheur, 1920, in-8, covers. Limited to 525 copies. One of the 100 coloured up copies , with originals wood engravings by Lucien Boucher with a suite in black on Holland paper.
  • [Boucher (Lucien)] - Mac Orlan (Pierre). Boutiques de la Foire. Paris, Marcel Seheur, 1926, small in-4, , covers. First edition with 37 original lithographs in colours by Lucien Boucher. Limited to 516 copies. One of the 500 copies on Arches paper.