This the first original and lithographed edition from c. 1910 ¶ In the course of the 19th century, the cat in art was increasingly seen as the symbol of poetry, of desire without a face, without a name, of creativity and inventiveness, and of a life without limits and rules. It is said that Steinlen drew the cat in all these guises, and as if he felt and tasted these characters himself. The smallest movements, the most subtle impulses, the deepest dreams, everything is perceived by the artist as if he were an equal. The spiritual life of the cat, vicious, sleepy, elegant as a cougar in the trees or waiting on the doormat with a questioning glance, every character seems to be noticed by Steinlen. Worship or a temporary metamorphosis, observation from inside and outside, Steinlen is more than a master at understanding the cat. De Katjes door Steinlen Year: [191-?] c. 1910 Author: Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923) Publisher: Amsterdam : Venn: Letteren & Kunst Annotation: illustrations in colour and b/w. Date: Not in Brinkman; publisher worked from 1904-1935; There is a later reprint by Cohen's boekhandel from 1930; estimated 191X Size: [38] pp. Size: 32 cm Binding: as usual rebound with original lithographed publisher’s plate on front cover. Coloured lithographed title page and 18 colour and uncoloured plates. Lines of verse on opposite page. Condition: slight age discolouration. Otherwise a very good and complete copy of this 1st edition. * after having seen several copies, this is the original publisher’s binding where the plate mounted on the top and the design of the back is identical each time. Cf. De Crauzat 58