1876 · Paris
by (BINDINGS - SMEERS). MUSSET, ALFRED DE
Paris: Alphonse Lemerre, 1876. 156 x 90 mm. (6 1/8 x 3 1/2"). 2 p.l., 275, [3] pp.
LOVELY BLACK CRUSHED MOROCCO, LAVISHLY GILT, BY SMEERS (stamp-signed on front turn-in), covers with central medallion containing a cypher of initials "L E" and "S E" within a strapwork frame, interlacing strapwork emanating from the medallion, the compartments formed filled with lacy tooling, the background spaces filled with sprays of rose leaves, the whole within a border of multiple gilt and decorative rules, raised bands, spine compartments with central medallion framed by branches of leaves, gilt lettering, richly gilt turn-ins marbled endpapers, all edges gilt over marbling. With frontispiece portrait of the author in two states (black & white and sanguine) by Henri Pille (1844-97). A PRISTINE COPY inside and out.
This exquisite little volume, containing the final works of famed Romantic poet Musset, features a wonderfully elaborate fanfare-style binding by Smeers. Alfred de Musset (1810-57) was still in his teens when he began publishing his popular tales, and he found success in poetry, fiction, and drama. He is generally recognized, with Hugo, Vigny, and Lamartine as one of the four great French Romantic writers (while at the same time being known for his tortured and tortuous love affair with novelist George Sand). This posthumous collection of works includes: poetry and unfinished plays; the complete play, “L'ane et le Ruisseau;” and a selection of letters to friends and family from over a 30-year period. (This was the 10th volume in a collected edition of Musset issued by Lemerre, who was known for his publications of poetry.) Our copy was bound by Isidore Smeers (1834-96), a Belgian whose career in Paris spanned 25 years, beginning in 1865. He distinguished himself among the leading binders of the day, especially through the notable work he did for the publishing house of Firmin-Didot. This binding, with its profuse and delicate tooling, perfectly demonstrates the finesse for which his volumes are known. With little to go on, we have been unable to identify for whom this custom binding was executed. The two sets of initials in the central cypher suggest the binding may have been done for a couple; perhaps this book, thoroughly beautiful inside and out, was given as a romantic gift.. (Inventory #: ST20139)
LOVELY BLACK CRUSHED MOROCCO, LAVISHLY GILT, BY SMEERS (stamp-signed on front turn-in), covers with central medallion containing a cypher of initials "L E" and "S E" within a strapwork frame, interlacing strapwork emanating from the medallion, the compartments formed filled with lacy tooling, the background spaces filled with sprays of rose leaves, the whole within a border of multiple gilt and decorative rules, raised bands, spine compartments with central medallion framed by branches of leaves, gilt lettering, richly gilt turn-ins marbled endpapers, all edges gilt over marbling. With frontispiece portrait of the author in two states (black & white and sanguine) by Henri Pille (1844-97). A PRISTINE COPY inside and out.
This exquisite little volume, containing the final works of famed Romantic poet Musset, features a wonderfully elaborate fanfare-style binding by Smeers. Alfred de Musset (1810-57) was still in his teens when he began publishing his popular tales, and he found success in poetry, fiction, and drama. He is generally recognized, with Hugo, Vigny, and Lamartine as one of the four great French Romantic writers (while at the same time being known for his tortured and tortuous love affair with novelist George Sand). This posthumous collection of works includes: poetry and unfinished plays; the complete play, “L'ane et le Ruisseau;” and a selection of letters to friends and family from over a 30-year period. (This was the 10th volume in a collected edition of Musset issued by Lemerre, who was known for his publications of poetry.) Our copy was bound by Isidore Smeers (1834-96), a Belgian whose career in Paris spanned 25 years, beginning in 1865. He distinguished himself among the leading binders of the day, especially through the notable work he did for the publishing house of Firmin-Didot. This binding, with its profuse and delicate tooling, perfectly demonstrates the finesse for which his volumes are known. With little to go on, we have been unable to identify for whom this custom binding was executed. The two sets of initials in the central cypher suggest the binding may have been done for a couple; perhaps this book, thoroughly beautiful inside and out, was given as a romantic gift.. (Inventory #: ST20139)
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