Vies des Saints de l’Atelier — 1873 French Catholic Prize Book in Pink & Gilt Cartonnage

Beautiful 1873 French Catholic prize book, Vies des Saints de l’Atelier, Deuxième Série, published by Alfred Mame et Fils of Tours. This volume contains the lives of Saint Théodote, Saint Galmier, and Saint Théobald, illustrated with dramatic engraved plates. It is housed in an exceptionally decorative original pink, white, and gilt embossed cartonnage binding, with a full-color religious scene to the front board and a cross motif to the back.

An original handwritten school prize presentation leaf at the front, awarded to a student in 1873 and stamped by the school—an evocative piece of its early history and provenance. The binding remains tight. A lovely example for collectors of French Catholic books, Mame bindings, religious ephemera, and 19th-century prize books.

This is a quintessential example of French decorative publishing in the mid-19th century — combining literary charm with elaborate gilt artistry and a hand-painted vignette. Such bindings were often produced as treasured gift books, making them highly sought after by collectors of cartonnage and fine French literature.

Size: 4 1/2” x 7 1/4”

A richly ornamented French religious prize book with a wonderful period school presentation inscription.