Paris, [Louis Janet], 1830.
12mo, (1) leaf, clvii pp., (1) blank p., 11 pp., 44 pp., (3) leaves, 4 plates.
Publisher’s binding in perfectly preserved, richly embossed dark violet velvet, smooth spine with the title embroidered lengthwise, gilt edges, pink moiré paper endpapers. Publisher’s binding.
160 x 100 mm.
First edition of this famous Romantic literary hoax, created by the medievalist Francisque Michel under the patronage of Charles Nodier.
In fact, this is a famous Romantic literary hoax: the purported medieval chronicler Jacques Gondar never existed. The text was created by Francisque Michel amid the medievalist atmosphere of the Arsenal circle led by Charles Nodier.
The Chroniques de Gondar are followed by Research on the Style of Chronicles by Charles Nodier.
The 1830 first edition is renowned for its exceptional neo-Gothic design: an illuminated title page, ornamental initials, and 4 plates engraved by Rouargue after Colin, often hand-colored and heightened with gold.
One of the most charming examples of the neo-troubadour fashion, adorned with engraved plates and illuminated ornaments in the style of medieval manuscripts.
A copy from the rare deluxe printing on vellum, with hand-colored illustrations heightened with gold.
Some publisher’s bindings, in embossed velvet in the troubadour style, rank among the most appealing French Romantic productions of the period.
Copies so well preserved in their fragile publisher’s binding of dark violet velvet are very rare.
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