The Folies Bergere by Paul Derval

The Folies Bergere

by Paul Derval

Methuen & Co., 1955, black and white photographs, blue cloth cover with small embossed illustration on front, hardcover, dust-jacket

Very Good Condition, minor edge and shelf wear, price-clipped dust-jacket with some edge and shelf wear, rubbing, tears, chips and creasing, some parts missing (see photographs)

"Paul Deval joined the Folies just before the first World War, when it was beginning to oust the Moulin Rouge as the favourite haunt of the European royalty and aristocracy who made Paris their playground.  The 'grand cocottes' of the 1900's, many of whom began their lucrative careers as dancers there, were still queening it over Parisian society.  In 1911, under his direction, the first nude appeared, demurely crowned with flowers and seated in a chariot on the stage.  The date is a landmark in the history of theatre; today the nude dancers and showgirls, English for the most part, are internationally famous."