La France se preparant a passer ses candidats sous la toise

Paris: Le Charivari, 1869. Lithograph. Small 4to (image size 8¼" X 10"). Very good. Light, even age toning. This is the May 3, 1869 second state of Plate 73 in this illustrated newspaper's "Actualites" series, and a strong clean impression. It depicts a statuesque crowned woman, representing France and resembling our Statue of Liberty, standing at right atop a scale with a measuring pole. Her right hand rests across her bosom and her left hand clutches the adjustable height bar near the top of the measuring pole. Behind her and at left stand a crowd of Frenchmen in suits and ties, all staring apprehensively at her. The caption reads, in translation, "France preparing to get her candidates to pass muster under the measure of standards." Immediately below the plate, at lower left, is printed "A. de Vresse, r.Rivoli, 55" while at lower right is printed "Lith. Destouches, r. Paradis Pre 28," and the stone number "16" appears in the base of the scale. A quite nice copy, printed on wove paper. (The rare first state was printed on newsprint stock and bore no caption, and the rare third state bore a different caption than the second state.) This print is displayed in a single cream matte and a ½" black wooden frame, overall dimensions 13" X 16". Very good. Slight bit of dampstaining at upper left and lower right of matte (not affecting print). Verso of frame bears the label of noted New York art gallery E. Weythe Art Books Prints. Daumier produced a vast number of social caricatures, roughly 4000 in number, many done for this famed publication. From the collection of former Illinois Senator ADLAI E. STEVENSON III (b. 1930), son of the Illinois governor of the same name (1900-65) and great-grandson of the U.S. vice president of the same name (1835-1914). DR 3708.