1844 - Le Serin (The Canary)

By Louis Friedel

Published 1844
Mame, Publishers/ Paris, France

French Text

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.

Highly decorative ornate & so lovely small-size cartonnage binding with gilt detail on navy blue cloth to both boards/spine, illustration to front board on cloth, engraving/frontispiece with tissue guard, tucked in sheet to inside front board noting given as a gift, binding tight, clean pages, some wear/ rubbing to corners/ spine edges from age/use, 177pp. Very good antiquarian condition.

Rare Book

Size: 3 1/2” x 5 3/4”

A very lovely 19th century cartonnage piece from France!