1870 Scarce French Book - Fairy Tales, Contes des Fees by Perrault, Mme d'Aulnoy, and others.
Author : Perrault, Mme d`Aulnoy, Hamilton, Mme Leprince de Beaumont.
Title : Contes des Fées par Perrault, Mme d`Aulnoy, Hamilton et Mme Leprince de Beaumont. Nouvelle Edition Illustrées de nombreuse gravures dans le texte et de dix grands bois hors texte par Mm. G. Staal, Bertall, etc. Gravés par Mm. Gusman, Cordier, etc.
Publisher : Paris, Garnier Freres, Libraires-Editeurs, no date (1870).
Language : Text in French.
Size : 10" X 6.5".
Pages : 548 pages.
Binding : Attractive and near fine contemporary half leather binding (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective mylar cover. All edges gilt.
Content : Very good, near fine content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing - as shown, gift card from a 1874 owner pasted on the first endpaper - as shown).
Illustrations : Complete with the ten beautiful full-page plates by G. Staal, Bertall and others.
Estimate : (Scarce with no or few other copies of this beautiful edition available for sale worldwide).
The book : A beautifully preserved edition of the French Fairy Tales by notable authors such as Charles Perrault and Mme Leprince de Beaumont. This compilation boasts a rich history and illustrations that bring each tale to life. With its careful detailing and presentation, it's no wonder that this edition is rare and sought after!
The authors:
Charles Perrault (1628 – 1703) was a French author and member of the Académie Française. He laid the foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale, with his works derived from earlier folk tales.
Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d'Aulnoy (1650/1651–4 January 1705), was a French writer known for her fairy tales.
Comtesse de la Clos, also known as Elizabeth Hamilton (1758 - 1816), was an exceptional Irish writer best known for her novel ""The Cottagers of Glenburnie.""
Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont (26 April 1711 – 8 September 1780) was a French author who wrote the best-known version of Beauty and the Beast."
The illustrator: Gustave Staal (1820–1882) was a French illustrator, particularly celebrated for his detailed and poignant illustrations that graced many 19th-century literary works. His ability to capture the essence of a narrative in a single image made him a sought-after artist during his time. Bertall, a pseudonym for Charles Albert d'Arnoux (1820–1882), was one of the most prolific illustrators of the 19th century. His diverse and multifaceted talent led him to work on various publications, bringing characters and tales to life with his distinctive style. Accompanying them in this edition are works by the talented engravers Gusman and Cordier, who have meticulously transformed the illustrators' visions into intricate engravings, adding depth and texture to the tales.