Alphabet Photographique [Photographic Alphabet].

Rare photographic ABC by Gaston Karquel. WorldCat locates just two copies, one at Princeton and one at Amsterdam Public Library with one further copy held at the Bibliothèque L'Heure joyeuse in Paris (all seemingly lacking the explanatory text).

The additional leaf of text is titled, 'Et une dernière page pour ceux qui aiment la photo' with the following information for each photograph: subject, location and time of year, shutter speed, aperture, screen and film. Karquel states that this information is useful for the all the image hunters and admirers of photos. He also charmingly writes that 'Dictionaries or atlases, usually intended for children, are the favourite books of those who, as adults, have retained a taste for poetry.'

Karquel's images are strikingly beautiful, from an industrial factory scene, to Provençal clouds and the Brittany coast they are all suitably arresting. There is also an emphasis on Gallic imagery such as the famous Zouave statue on the Pont de l'Alma across the Seine, a Château, the Pont d'Avignon, the Obelisk of Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower.

First edition, square 4to (21.3 x 21.3 cm); 26 loose black and white printed photographs with text to the reverse on a coloured background, plus one leaf of contents (with manuscript notes in pencil); housed in the original card and linen box with a photographic portrait and alphabet design, small tear to spine and some wear to box, otherwise a very good copy.