Le Magasin des Enfas ou Dialogues D’Une Sage Gouvernante Avec Ses Eleves — Mme Leprince de Beaumont | Mid-19th Century French Edition | 2 Volumes in 1 | Fine Gilt-Decorated Binding

Title Translation: The Children’s Store or Dialogues of a Wise Governess with Her Students

A beautiful mid-19th century French edition of Le Magasin des Enfans, ou Dialogues d’une Sage Gouvernante avec ses Élèves by Mme Leprince de Beaumont, famed author of La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast). Published in Paris and Limoges by Martial Ardant Frères, this finely bound volume combines both the first and second tomes in one book, richly illustrated with engraved plates.

Mme Leprince de Beaumont’s celebrated educational dialogues blend moral instruction, engaging storytelling, and fairy tales, including her famous rendition of Beauty and the Beast. The pages capture the conversations between a wise governess and her pupils, designed to cultivate intellect and virtue in young readers.

Black textured cloth boards with elaborate gilt-stamped rococo designs to the front and back covers. Ornately gilt-decorated spine with title “MAGASIN” in gilt; time softened/rubbed gilt to boards/spine. All edges in a bright gilt. Clean, crisp pages some very minor light foxing. Sound, tight binding. Mid-19th century (c. 1830s–1840s) printing. Text in French. Two volumes bound together, preserving the complete educational and literary program. 

Market & Collectibility:
Elaborately bound mid-19th century editions of Le Magasin des Enfans in gilt-decorated cloth are scarce. Comparable examples in fine decorative bindings have achieved strong results at European auctions, underscoring the enduring desirability of Mme Leprince de Beaumont’s works. This copy’s striking condition, rich gilt decoration, and completeness place it among the more exceptional examples to appear on the market.

Condition: Very Good

Size: 4 1/4” x 7”

This is both a display-worthy decorative binding and a treasured piece of children’s literary history, ideal for collectors of French literature, fairy tales, or gilt-decorated 19th-century books.