1845 - Journal de Clery, Relation des Evenemens de la Tour du Temple Pendant La Captivite de Louis XVI, Roi de France

Title in English: Journal of Clery, Account of the Events of the Temple Tower During the Captivity of Louis XVI, King of France

Published 1845
Chez Martial Ardent freres, Paris & Limoges/ France

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.

This work focuses on the experiences and observations of Cléry, who served as a valet to Louis XVI during the latter's imprisonment in the Temple Tower in Paris. The Temple was a prison where the royal family, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, were held during the French Revolution. Cléry's journal provides firsthand insights into the conditions, events, and emotions surrounding the captivity of the French monarch. The account is a historical document shedding light on a significant period in French history, capturing the challenges faced by the royal family during their confinement and the broader context of the revolutionary upheaval in France during the late 18th century.

Cartonnage  romantique binding with highly decorative gilt detail to front/back boards and spine, engraving/frontispiece with tissue guard, dentelle detail, binding tight, clean pages, 284pp.

Size: 4 1/2” x 7”

A Very beautiful French cartonnage romantique piece from the past!