Heading: (Photo-Illustration - Theater)
Author:
Title: Le Théatre - 100 early reproductions of color photographs, consisting of highly decorative covers and internal full-page color half-tones
Place Published: Paris
Publisher:Manzi, Joyant & Cie
Date Published: 1907-1913
Description:

Approx. 100 loose leaves and plates illustrated with half-tones from color photographs. The full-page covers and inserts of fashionable woman and men are among the earliest examples of reliable large-circulation representations of color photography, invented by the Lumiere Brothers in 1907.

The magazine was illustrated on its cover and throughout with early color as well as b&w photographs. It contained detailed reviews of French and European dramatic and opera productions, in particular provincial theater. The first major photographic investigation of the theater. Among its special qualities was the use of instant photography during performances. The editor, Michel Manzi, understood that instant photography in the theater allowed a perfect image not only of costumes and sets, but the gestures and physiognomies of the actors, and definitively fixed this thing so mobile that is the play of the scene. The covers of each issue are colorized photographs of major actors of the moment in their stage costumes. Each issue presents inset plates and lots of overall production photographs, scenes, auditions, backstage, etc. Le Theatre was the first major photographic general survey on the theater - These documents form a unique panorama of the history of the Theater and costume at the beginning of the XXth century.

Very good overall.