[MARIANI, Angelo (1838-1914)]. Figures Contemporaines tirées de l’album Mariani. Paris: Ernest Flammarion; Henri Floury, 1894-1908.
18 volumes, 4to. Mixed sets, catalogue note as follows: Volumes I-X: Numerous engraved portraits with facsimile inscriptions on each, WITH AN EXTRA-SUITE OF PLATES IN SANGUINE. Volumes: I-VIII: Half contemporary navy levant, marbled sides, spines with a leafy branch of various color morocco inlays, top edges gilt, stamp-signed by P. Ruban; original printed wrappers bound in. Volumes IX-X: Half modern navy morocco gilt.
LIMITED EDITION, various limitations of 50 COPIES ON JAPON IMPERIAL WITH AN EXTRA-SUITE OF PLATES, from a total edition of 500.
[With:] 8 duplicate volumes, including: Volumes 6, 7, 9, 10, 11: Full contemporary crushed levant, gilt turn-ins with viny cornerpieces, hand-illustrated doublures, stamp-signed by R. Ruban. All limited editions, one of 50 copies Japon imperial with an extra-suite of plates. Volumes VIII-IX: Original printed wrappers. Limited editions, one of 25 copies on Arches with an extra-suite of plates. Volume XIII: Original printed wrappers. Regular edition.
In 1863, the Corsican chemist Angelo Mariani developed a famous drink made from coca leaves and red wine known as Vin Mariani - the supposed predecessor to Coca-Cola. The drink was a great commercial success until cocaine and later its other ingredient alcohol were banned in the United States. In 1894, Mariani began the publication of Figures Contemporaines Tirées de L'Album Mariani. He invited prominent men and women of letters including doctors, politicians, and artists to write a few lines on his famous wine. He published these alongside a biographical description which he illustrated with a beautiful portrait series. A Horowitz high spot.