1883 - L’Amour Du Travail

Title Translation: Love of Work

Published 1883
Megard Et C., Publishers/ Rouen,France

In the 19th century, France witnessed a remarkable era of artistic and luxurious bookbinding known as cartonnage. Cartonnage bindings emerged as a popular form of decorative coverings for books, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities of the time. These bindings were typically made from stiffened pasteboard or cardboard, covered in decorative paper or silk fabrics adorned with intricate designs, gold tooling, and vibrant colors.

French cartonnage bindings of the 19th century often incorporated various techniques such as embossing, gilding, and marbling to create visually striking covers that captivated the eyes of book lovers and collectors alike.

Hardcover. Cartonnage Romantique binding. White with elaborate blue and gilt design to both boards and spine. Frontispiece/engraving. Paste-down to inside front baord noting given as a gift/prize to a student. Binding tight. Light foxing to some pages. 

Size: 5” x 8”

A very beautiful 19th-century French romantique book!