#66: Assouline at the Plaza

Where Eloise reads…

The Shop: Assouline at the Plaza

Midtown: 768 5th Avenue

Overlooking the lobby of the Plaza Hotel rests a tiny Assouline book nook selling massive coffee table tomes. Assouline is a luxury book brand based out of France that publishes gorgeously crafted books of photography. The books focus on luxurious subjects such as travel destinations, fashion designers, and other fancy things like the history of whiskey. These books are luxuriously sized— some of them approaching the height of my torso. Many come in special cases too. Do not try to put one of these books in your backpack unless you have a really good physical therapist. These books are also luxuriously priced, and can run over a grand. Plebeians beware!

What I got:

Lovers by Peynet

This was the only book I could afford in the store— good thing it’s a cool one! Raymond Peynet was a French illustrator famous for the lovers, a pair of illustrated cuties who achieved proto-meme status in 1940s France. The lovers appeared in many mediums but Peynet’s original cartoons remain the most iconic version. Peynet’s exquisite line work and creativity has earned him a permanent place in the hearts of Francophiles, as well two French art museums dedicated to his work!