Description
Les Contes drolatiques colligez ez abbayes de Touraine et mis en lumière par le sieur de Balzac pour l'esbattement des pantagruélistes et non aultres
RARE COPY ON CHINA OF GUSTAVE DORÉ'S MASTERPIECE.
"If there was one book illustrated by Gustave Doré, this would be it: the illustrations are as good as the text, and that's no mean feat, since Balzac considered Contes drolatiques to be his masterpiece. "
(Brivois, Bibliography of 19th century illustrated books, 1883, p. 32).
This luxurious china paper gives the engravings a very fine contrast.
A charming copy bound in full saddle-skin at the end of the 19th century, with a spine decorated with pigs' heads contrasting with the rich gilt edges over marbling.
Bound at the end of the 19th century in full saddle cloth, spine ribbed and decorated with cold pigs' heads, spine flap bordered with gilt friezes. Minor rubbing to the spines and restoration to the head.
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