1817–1825.
6 8vo volumes. Contemporary half calf.
“Although Pierre de La Mésangère is only the publisher of the Journal des dames et des modes, I felt it necessary to describe this publication under his name, for the reason that in the book trade and among collectors it is commonly referred to as ‘the La Mésangère.’
The description of this periodical, which appeared under this title until 31 December 1837 and was continued by the Gazette des Salons, journal des dames et des modes founded by M. de La Mésangère, presents great difficulties for the period of its origin. The Bibliothèque nationale possesses it, as text, only from the fifth year onward (the prints department possesses the first 1,999 plates); the Bibliothèque de l’Opéra holds a copy complete as to plates, but with gaps in the text; thus, of the first year it has only nos. I and VII, and of the second year, no. IX; on the other hand, it has two interesting prospectuses of the publication. The Bibliothèque de la ville de Paris (Saint-Fargeau) also possesses only an incomplete copy. A complete collection of the text of the Journal des dames et des modes is therefore very rare to encounter, especially for the early years, hence the difficulty of giving a rigorously exact description here.” (Vicaire – Livres du XIXe siècle).
Description of the present copy:
Journal des dames et des modes, 25 December 1816: Octavo, contemporary half calf.
41 full-page fashion engravings in period coloring.
Journal des dames et des modes, 5 January 1819: Octavo, contemporary half calf.
39 full-page fashion engravings in period coloring.
Journal des dames et des modes, 5 January 1820: Octavo, contemporary half calf.
29 full-page fashion engravings in period coloring.
Journal des dames et des modes, 5 January 1822: Octavo, contemporary half calf.
82 fashion engravings in period coloring.
Journal des dames et des modes, 5 January 1824: Octavo, contemporary half calf.
71 fashion engravings in period coloring.
Journal des dames et des modes, 5 January 1825: Octavo, contemporary half calf.
79 fashion engravings in period coloring.
For a total of 341 full-page fashion prints in period coloring. Some defects to the text, but the engravings are in good condition of preservation. Colas cites only 3 copies: the first with 283 plates (as against 341 here) sold for 3,600 francs in 1923; that of the Vicomte de Jonghe, with very few gaps, was sold for 39,000 francs in 1930.