Les Voyages du Petit André en Afrique – 19th-Century French Cartonnage with Gilt & Illustrated Plates (Small Format)

A charming decorative 19th-century French cartonnage bound in vivid purple ribbed cloth, stamped in gilt and centered with a hand-colored pictorial vignette. This petite volume is titled Les Voyages du Petit André en Afrique by A. E. de Saintes, a narrative travel and educational work written for young readers, blending adventure, geography, and moral instruction.

The book offers period depictions of travel, daily life, and landscapes in Africa as imagined through a 19th-century European lens. The small format, vibrant color, and ornate gilt make it especially appealing to collectors of French cartonnage, juvenile literature, and decorative bindings.

This copy also bears period inscriptions, adding a layer of historical presence and suggesting early ownership or gift presentation—an element often sought after by collectors of children’s books and provenance-rich volumes.

Condition: Very Good/ Well-preserved for its age.

Size: 3 ½” x 5 ¾”

A scarce example of mid-19th-century French juvenile cartonnage, prized for its color, craftsmanship, and storytelling charm.