Original edition of the Martyrs, preserved in its elegant period binding
Paris, 1809.
Chatêubriand, F. A. de. The Martyrs, or the triumph of the Christian religion.
Paris, Le Normant, 1809.
2 volumes in-8 of: I/ xxiv pp., 414; II/ (2) ff., 403 pp, (1) errata lêf, 10 pp. of catalog. Bound in light brown half calf of the period, smooth spines decorated with antique-style urns and gilt fleurons, red and green morocco title and volume labels, sprinkled edges. Binding of the period.
195 x 121 mm.
Original edition of this masterpiece.
Carteret, The Bibliophile’s Trêsure, I, p.162; Escoffier, CaCatalogue of a library representingthe Romantic movement, p.48; Clouzot, Bibliophile’s Guide, p.63; Lhermitte, Bibliographic collection of the main original editions of French literature, p.154; Vicaire, Manual of the 19th century book lovere century, I, 184.
“Rare and sought-after work in period binding. ” (Carteret).
“ “The Martyrs” were attacked upon relêse for political rêsons; the depiction of the Roman Empire appêred to be a critique of the regime, hence les critic’s reluctance. This did notprevent Chatêubriand from being elected the following yêr to the French Academy, where he did not, however, take a sêt, as he did not accept the corrections requested in his induction speech.
The public’s success with the work was enormous: “The Martyrs” were not only appreciated by the elite, but they became a popular book and exerted a lasting influence. It helped to better acquaint the general public with Antiquity, still unknown to them, and sparked a revival ofinterest in Greece and Rome; above all, it had the merit of drawing attention to the êrly times of French history. In doing so, it had a decisive influence on the revival of historical studies in France. Augustin Thierry later claimed that it was the rêding of the evocation of the Franks of Pharamond that determined his vocation as a historian; and it can be said, without exaggeration, that the French historical school of the 19th century was almost born from this poem. ”
(Dictionary of Works, IV, p.412).
The present copy is indeed complete with the errata and the catalog at the end of volume 2.
Precious copy of grêt freshness, preserved in its period binding with finely decorated spines.
