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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Books, Maps & Manuscripts / Molière / 30 vignettes de Devéria gravées par Thompson...
EXCEPTIONAL MOLIÈRE A HISTORICAL EDITION LINKED TO BALZAC WORKS BY MOLIÈRE IN FULL Paris, Urbain Canel – Delongchamps – Baudouin Frères 1826 Full Works – Original edition of the “Life of Molière” by Honoré de Balzac Magnificent ancient binding signed BAUZONNET A very beautiful bibliophile copy, particularly sought after for its association between Molière, Honoré de Balzac and a remarkable binding signed BAUZONNET. Illustrations: 30 vignettes by Devéria engraved by Thompson This 1826 edition is especially interesting in the history of bibliophily and in the career of Honoré de Balzac, then still a young editor and man of the book. Balzac had joined Urbain Canel to publish a compact collection of the great French classics. The project ultimately produced only the first two titles devoted to La Fontaine and Molière. La Maison de Balzac itself references this 1826 copy and identifies Honoré de Balzac as editor, alongside Urbain Canel, Delongchamps and Baudouin Frères. It also specifies that the work is printed in Mignonne type, characters present in the foundry’s catalog led by Balzac in 1826-1828. FIRST EDITION OF BALZAC’S “LIFE OF MOLIÈRE” One of the main bibliophile interests of this copy is the presence of Honoré de Balzac’s “Life of Molière” in its original edition. This edition is also sought after for its illustrations: 30 vignettes drawn by Achille Devéria and wood-engraved by Charles Thompson, as well as Molière’s portrait. La Maison de Balzac confirms the presence of these illustrations and the involvement of Devéria and Thompson in this 1826 edition. A BINDING SIGNED BAUZONNET The most remarkable element of this copy is undoubtedly its superb antique binding signed BAUZONNET. The BAUZONNET signature is visible at the foot of the spine. It is a full antique brown morocco binding, with: - Blue silk endpapers - Spine with raised bands - Rich gold-tooled decoration with small devices - Spine compartments adorned with floral and decorative motifs - Title in gold on black morocco label - PARIS 1826 inscription - Tooled covers richly decorated with several frames of gold fillets - Elegant floral devices in the corners - Gilded edges on three sides - Endpapers and pastedowns lined with a very fine light blue silk The Bauzonnet signature is a major element of this copy. Antoine Bauzonnet ranks among the great French binders of the 19th century. The presence of his signature on a quality binding gives this copy a far higher interest than a standard 1826 Molière bound in ordinary fashion. Format: about 24 × 15 cm Collation: IV-553 pages Complete volume. Good overall condition. Pages show only a few light foxings, normal for a book of this era and incomparable to strongly stained copies. The engravings and headings are particularly well preserved, with a very clear impression. The binding shows some minor signs of time. A copy that reunites several elements sought by collectors: MOLIÈRE + 1826 + BALZAC + DEVÉRIA + THOMPSON + BAUZONNET The interest of this volume far exceeds that of a simple old Molière work. It is a fine object of 19th-century French bibliophily, at once interesting for its editorial history, its illustrations, and above all for the quality of its binding. Sale to a discerning amateur, a collector of Molière, Balzac, French bindings, or 19th-century illustrated books. Shipment of the parcel well protected Delivered against signature La Poste, Colissimo, Chronopost..
Estimate:£385.7
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Estimate:
£385.7
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