1869 Scarce French Illustrated Book - Beauty and the Beast, La Belle et la Bete, color illustrated.
(Description)
Author: Unknown. (First written by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve in the 18th century).
Title : La Belle et la Bête. Nouvelle collection des Contes Albums.
Publisher: Paris, Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, 1869. "Magasin des Petits Enfants" series.
Language: Text in French
Size: 9.5" X 7.5".
Pages: 8 pages of text + 6 pages of chromolithographs.
Binding: Attractive and very good original illustrated softcover binding richly illustrated with a chromolithograph of scenes from the story, framed by an elaborate floral and decorative border (overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, lower part of the spine joint split repaired by a previous owner with archival clear tape - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, rare light foxing and toning - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the beautiful six bright color chromolithographs depicting 10 scenes from the story.
Estimate : (Scarce with no or few other copies available for sale worldwide).
The book: This is a scarce and beautiful edition of the classic fairy tale La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast), published by Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie in 1869. The book is part of the Magasin des Petits Enfants series, which features other popular children's stories. This edition is notable for its stunning chromolithographic illustrations that bring the story to life.
The author: The author of this particular edition is not specified. La Belle et la Bête is a traditional fairy tale that has been adapted and retold numerous times since its earliest known version by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in 1740.