Description
Handsome two-volume set of Sainte-Beuve’s classic portraits of the great French writers, in a signed Roger de Coverly & Sons half-leather binding from the library of Thomas, Baron Brassey. Both volumes are illustrated with engraved portrait plates (including La Fontaine and others) and present an attractive combination of literature, illustration, fine binding, and notable provenance.
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Two volumes: Galerie des Grands Écrivains Français (Garnier Frères, Paris, 1889) and Nouvelle Galerie des Grands Écrivains Français (Garnier Frères, Paris, 1881)
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Author: Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve; text in French
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Fine signed binding: half leather with green cloth sides, raised bands, gilt floral tooling to spines, marbled endpapers; binder’s stamp of Roger de Coverly & Sons
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Provenance: armorial bookplate of Thomas, Baron Brassey (later 1st Earl Brassey, Governor of Victoria) in each volume; early ink note recording “18 engraved portraits – Roger de Coverly binding”
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Illustrated with numerous full-page engraved portrait plates on heavier stock, including frontispieces
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Large 8vo, approximately 10 x 7 in (25.5 x 18 cm)
Condition
Bindings sound and attractive overall. Leather spines show sun-fading and rubbing, with small chipping and wear at the heads; joints remain solid. Corners rubbed. Cloth boards generally clean with a few light marks. Marbled endpapers bright; armorial bookplates and small old shelf marks as shown. Text blocks are gently toned with scattered foxing/spotting typical of the period but generally clean and legible; plates retain good, dark impressions. No loose pages noted. A well-preserved, characterful set of Sainte-Beuve in a quality signed binding with distinguished provenance.
Please view all the photos to assess the bindings, plates, and condition details.
