Corneille

Superb 16-volume set from the famous Collection of the Great French and Foreign Classics, printed in the mid-1920s (mostly dated September 1925) by Imprimerie Paul Brodard in Coulommiers. [1] Each volume is an “Illustrated Work” of great finesse, including a portrait of the author in a frontispiece under a serpentine border, as well as drawings, leaf-illustrations, and decorative headpieces after renowned artists (Grandville, Drevet, Gravelot...). [1, 2] Details of the binding: Elegant period half-leather binding (genuine morocco) with a spine of false raised bands. Titles, volumes and compartments adorned with gilt florals. Boards and endpapers clad in magnificent marbled/jaspé paper. [1, 2] Exact contents of the lot (16 volumes): Corneille – Oeuvres (2 volumes) Molière – Oeuvres (2 volumes) Racine – Théâtre (Vols I and II) Chateaubriand – Œuvres choisies (Vols I and 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 – Œuvres (1 volume) [1, 2, 3] State of conservation: Centennial–year volumes in good overall condition, interiors very sound. The bindings are fully period and authentic; they show a beautiful patina of time with normal signs of use (light wear at the headcaps, spine and corners). Note: the leather spine of Volume II of Molière is missing, leaving the volume on its raw cream-colored cardboard board (see photos). The set nevertheless retains a magnificent aesthetic and historical charm, ideal for decorating an elegant library. [1, 2] Shipment: Fast shipping and extremely careful packaging (heavy/package with reinforced corner protection to secure the bindings). In-person pickup available.

Estimate:£0.84

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