SPLENDID COLLECTION OF 18 WINE CATALOGUES FROM MAISON NICOLAS, WITH COVERS AND PLATES BY LEADING FRENCH ARTISTS, 1933-71

MAISON NICOLAS. Liste des Grands Vins Fins. [Paris]: (Draeger Frères), 1933-1971. Eighteen volumes. Quarto (varying sizes), original flexible paper covers (some spiral-bound). Housed in two custom red clamshell boxes. $4200.

First editions of these wonderfully illustrated annual wine lists from Maison Nicolas, with cover designs and illustrations by such leading French painters as Saint-André, Latour and Minaux.

“From 1928 to 1973, Nicolas has recognized the synergy between wine and art by commissioning such great painters as Derain, Van Dongen and Buffet to illustrate its catalogues of fine vintages.” “Now we start getting closer to the basis of Nicolas’ success. Prime vineyard sites, only old vines— 35 years minimum but typically much older— and growers who work in an organic or even biodynamic way… Of course, there is no fining and (unless absolutely necessary) no filtration and even the bottling is done at the wane of the moon” (Burgundy Report). This collection of 18 Maison Nicolas wine catalogues between the years 1933 and 1971, with their commissioned artistic covers and text illustrations, not only records the vinyard’s annual offerings, but represents a contemporary French popular taste in art— Latour, Saint-André, Gischia, Limouse, Caillard, Humblot, Midy, Guiramand, Minaux, Lorjou and Sarthou.

Generally fine condition.