Contemporary Bibliophilism : A Centre of Excellence in Montpellier

In 1965, Frédéric Sabatier d'Espeyran bequeathed 668 illustrated volumes, 200 of which were bindings, to the Municipal Library of Montpellier, which possesses the majority of the great books of bibliophilism from the first half of the twentieth century : Braque, Chagall, Derain, Degas, Dunoyer de Segonzac... For the heritage sector, the criteria for acquisition are defined : to bring together the complete works of each illustrator present in the Sabatier collection or to enrich the Rabelaisian holdings, to devote a notable share of attention to artists who are living in the Languedoc region, and other regional holdings, to commission bindings from the work of contemporary artists and so develop the Delteil collection, wagering on who the future chooses as unusual artists. A location dedicated to these prestigious collections allows some value to be put on contemporary bibliophilism.
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