Lucien Boucher’s Boutiques (1)

The first book in the Mainstone Press’s Parisian trilogy celebrates the city’s charming boutiques, whose characterful shopfronts are often depicted with similarly colourful proprietors. Originally published in 1925 by Marcel Seheur, Boutiques paired the jewel-like illustrations of Lucien Boucher with the surreal text of bohemian favourite Pierre Mac Orlan. Snapped up by collectors, the small limited edition of 500 copies sold out on publication and is now recognised as a classic of the art deco period. The book was also coveted by artists, including Eric Ravilious, whose High Street (1938) owes a great debt to Boucher’s witty and detailed style.