Corneille

Superb set of 16 volumes from the famous Collection of Great French and Foreign Classical Works, printed in the mid-1920s (primarily dated September 1925) by Imprimerie Paul Brodard in Coulommiers. [1] Each volume is an “Illustrated Work” of great refinement, including a portrait of the author in frontispiece with a serpentine border, as well as drawings, fine engravings outside the text, and decorative banners after renowned artists (Grandville, Drevet, Gravelot...). [1, 2] Details of the binding: Elegant period half-leather binding (chagrin) with a back spine showing false ribs. Titles, volumes and cases ornately decorated with gold fleurons. Boards and endpapers clad in beautiful speckled/marbled paper. [1, 2] Exact contents of the lot (16 volumes): Corneille – Oeuvres (2 volumes) Molière – Oeuvres (2 volumes) Racine – Théâtre (Volumes I & II) Chateaubriand – Oeuvres choisies (Volumes I & II) Lamartine – Poésies et Prose (2 volumes) La Bruyère – Les Caractères ou les Mœurs de ce siècle (1 volume) Charles Perrault – Contes (1 volume) Alfred de Vigny – Poésies (1 volume) Fénelon – Les Aventures de Télémaque (1 volume) Madame de Sévigné – Lettres choisies (1 volume) Boileau – Oeuvres (1 volume) [1, 2, 3] Condition: Century-old volumes in good general condition, interiors very sound. The bindings are entirely original and authentic; they display a beautiful patina of the era with normal signs of use (slight rubbing to headcaps, spine and corners). Note: the leather spine of Volume II of Molière is missing, leaving the volume on its raw cream-colored cardboard structure (see photos). The set retains a magnificent aesthetic and historical charm, perfect for elegant decorating a library. [1, 2] Shipping: Fast dispatch and extremely careful packaging (heavy parcel, reinforced corner protection to secure the bindings). Cash on collection possible.

Estimate:$1.12

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