Défauts de l’Enfance — Mme Marie-Félicie Testas (c.1880s)

A charming late 19th-century French moral and instructional children’s book, Défauts de l’Enfance (“Faults of Childhood”) by Mme Marie-Félicie Testas, published by Eugène Ardant et Cie, Limoges.

Crowned by the Société de l’Encouragement au Bien and approved by the Commission des Bibliothèques Scolaires, this volume reflects the moral and didactic spirit of the French livres de prix tradition—offered as a reward for virtue and good conduct.

Bound in a richly chromolithographed cartonnage romantique binding with playful scenes of children at play to the front cover and a vivid depiction of a girl among flowering branches, butterflies, and beetles to the back—both framed within a red, blue, and gilt ornamental border.

Inside, the book is illustrated with numerous finely engraved moral scenes corresponding to chapters such as La Gourmandise (Gluttony), La Colère (Anger), L’Orgueil (Pride), and L’Envie (Envy). Each fable-like vignette teaches self-control, kindness, and humility—ideals at the heart of late 19th-century moral education.

A wonderfully preserved example of French chromolithographic artistry paired with instructive storytelling, typical of school prize books produced in Limoges during the period.

Light wear to bottom spine edge, board corners, and a small ¼” area along the side of the front board. Binding tight and internally clean with mild age toning.

Condition: Very Good

Size: 4 ½” x 7 ¼”

A bright and delightfully moralizing French children’s volume in a decorative cartonnage romantique binding.