{"product_id":"1876-rare-french-book-set-bound-by-ramage-perrault-fairy-tales-contes-des-fees","title":"1876 Rare French Book Set Bound by Ramage - Perrault Fairy Tales Contes des Fées","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA magnificent two-volume 1876 bibliophile edition of Charles Perrault’s celebrated fairy tales, illustrated with twelve etchings by Adolphe Lalauze, printed on fine Holland paper, and beautifully bound in signed full brown morocco by the renowned London bookbinder John Ramage.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor\u003c\/strong\u003e: Charles Perrault; preface by Paul Lacroix (P. L. Jacob, Bibliophile); dissertation by Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitle\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cem\u003eLes Contes de Ch. Perrault\u003c\/em\u003e — Tome Premier: \u003cem\u003eContes en vers\u003c\/em\u003e; Tome Second: \u003cem\u003eContes en prose\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paris: Librairie des Bibliophiles, Jouaust, 338 Rue Saint-Honoré, 1876.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdition\u003c\/strong\u003e: Limited bibliophile edition, one of 170 numbered copies printed on Holland paper (papier de Hollande), from a total large-paper issue of 200 copies. Two volumes, complete.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage\u003c\/strong\u003e: French.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages\u003c\/strong\u003e: Volume I: lxii, 113 pages; Volume II: 183 pages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: 7.5 x 4.5 inches each volume.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Beautiful and near-fine matching full dark brown crushed-grain Morocco bindings in the restrained Jansenist style, signed \"Bound by Ramage, London.\"\u003c\/span\u003e Five raised bands to each spine, with gilt lettering identifying the author, volume, contents, place, and date. Subtle blind-tooled rules accentuate the raised bands and frame the covers. Exquisite gilt-decorated inner dentelles surround richly marbled endpapers in shades of burgundy, blue, and cream. Top edges gilt; remaining edges untrimmed, preserving the generous margins of the fine-paper edition. The bindings are very well preserved, with minor signs of age and handling, including a small area of surface discoloration near the head of the first spine. An exceptionally elegant and harmonious pair of fine bindings. Protected in a removable mylar cover. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContent\u003c\/strong\u003e: Very good to near-fine, complete in two volumes, with clean, fresh, generously margined pages and occasional minor age-related marks. The fine Holland paper retains its attractive texture and deckled edges. Both volumes contain an engraved Janssen bookplate on the front pastedown. A particularly appealing bibliophile set.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrations\u003c\/strong\u003e: Illustrated with a finely engraved portrait of Charles Perrault and twelve original etchings by Adolphe Lalauze, depicting scenes from the tales. The plates are protected by tissue guards. Complete as described.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstimate\u003c\/strong\u003e: USD $600–900.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe books\u003c\/strong\u003e: Published in Paris in 1876 by the distinguished Librairie des Bibliophiles, this beautifully produced edition brings together the celebrated fairy tales of Charles Perrault in two complementary volumes. The first contains his tales in verse, while the second presents the immortal prose stories that helped establish the literary fairy-tale tradition, including \u003cem\u003eSleeping Beauty\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLittle Red Riding Hood\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBluebeard\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ePuss in Boots\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eCinderella\u003c\/em\u003e. The edition is further enriched by an extensive preface by the celebrated bibliophile Paul Lacroix, writing as P. L. Jacob, and Baron Walckenaer’s scholarly dissertation on the origins and literary history of fairy tales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe edition was produced for collectors in a carefully limited large-paper issue of 200 numbered copies, comprising 15 on China paper, 15 on Whatman paper, and 170 on Holland paper, in addition to a small number of special copies with proofs before letters. The present set belongs to the desirable Holland-paper issue. Adolphe Lalauze’s finely executed etchings bring a distinctly nineteenth-century artistic sensibility to Perrault’s timeless stories, combining delicate linework with richly detailed scenes. The exceptional quality of the printing, generous margins, and untrimmed edges reflect the care devoted to this handsome bibliophile publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular distinction are the two signed bindings by John Ramage of London, one of the most respected English fine binders of the late Victorian period. Executed in dark brown morocco, they exemplify the Jansenist aesthetic: an intentionally restrained exterior, relying on the richness of the leather, precise craftsmanship, and subtle blind tooling rather than elaborate decoration. Opening the volumes reveals a striking contrast, with sumptuous gilt inner dentelles and richly coloured marbled endpapers. The juxtaposition is especially fitting for Perrault’s fairy tales: outwardly restrained and dignified, yet concealing a world of imagination, enchantment, and wonder. A highly attractive set combining French literary heritage, fine illustrated printing, and distinguished English bookbinding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe author\u003c\/strong\u003e: Charles Perrault (1628–1703) was a French writer and member of the Académie française whose literary fairy tales became foundational works of European children's literature. His celebrated \u003cem\u003eHistoires ou contes du temps passé\u003c\/em\u003e, published in 1697, gave enduring literary form to stories such as \u003cem\u003eCinderella\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSleeping Beauty\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLittle Red Riding Hood\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003ePuss in Boots\u003c\/em\u003e. Combining traditional narratives with the elegance and moral sensibility of seventeenth-century French literature, Perrault helped establish the fairy tale as a literary genre whose influence continues across generations and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe illustrator and binder\u003c\/strong\u003e: Adolphe Lalauze (1838–1906) was a distinguished French engraver and illustrator, particularly admired for his finely detailed etchings produced for luxurious literary and bibliophile editions. His delicate compositions and accomplished handling of line made him an ideal interpreter of Perrault’s imaginative world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Ramage (1836–1911) was a celebrated London bookbinder whose workshop became known for elegant, meticulously executed fine bindings. His work was especially appreciated by collectors for its refined craftsmanship, carefully selected leathers, and accomplished decorative finishing. These two signed volumes offer a beautiful example of the understated sophistication associated with his name.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67636470710521,"sku":null,"price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3348\/files\/20261108perrault_01.jpg?v=1794162835","url":"https:\/\/mflibra.com\/products\/1876-rare-french-book-set-bound-by-ramage-perrault-fairy-tales-contes-des-fees","provider":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}