1847 Les Fleurs Animées by J.J. Grandville | First Edition, Two Parts in One Volume | Gabriel de Gonet Paris | Hand-Colored Plates

A highly desirable first edition of Les Fleurs Animées by J. J. Grandville, published in Paris by the noted French publisher Gabriel de Gonet in 1847. Considered Grandville’s masterpiece and one of the most celebrated illustrated books of the nineteenth century, this extraordinary work blends botanical illustration, fantasy, satire, and Romantic-era artistry into a volume that remains highly sought after by collectors today.

Issued by Gabriel de Gonet shortly after Grandville’s death, Les Fleurs Animées presents flowers as elegant, whimsical, and symbolic female figures, each brought vividly to life through the artist’s remarkable imagination. The text was written by Taxile Delord with introductions by Alphonse Karr. Published in two parts and bound here in one volume, the work contains numerous tissue-guarded hand-colored steel engravings by Charles Geoffroy after Grandville’s designs, along with additional illustrations and decorative elements throughout.

This copy retains its original 1847 Gabriel de Gonet title pages and first-edition format, including the first part concluding on page 364 and followed by the separately titled Deuxième Partie, a recognized bibliographic point of the first edition. The enchanting plates depicting the Violet, Orange Blossom, Forget-Me-Not, Dahlia, Daisy, and many others remain among the most iconic images of nineteenth-century French illustration.

A cornerstone work for collectors of Grandville, French illustrated books, botanical art, and Victorian flower symbolism.

Contemporary half-morocco binding with marbled paper-covered boards. Some rubbing and wear to the binding, scattered foxing and age toning as expected with the age. The hand-colored plates remain remarkably bright. There is also a split to one interior gutter margin within the text block near top around page 347(per photo), though the page remains attached and the binding is secure. Overall a highly desirable and well-preserved example of this celebrated first edition.

Condition: Very Good  

Size: 10 ¾” x 7 ¼”

A landmark publication from Gabriel de Gonet and one of the most important and visually captivating botanical fantasy works of the nineteenth century.