1875. bALZAC Honoré de, [DORE GUSTAVE], Les contes drolatiques (...).

107. BALZAC Honoré de, [DORE GUSTAVE], Les contes drolatiques (...).

Paris [1875], Brothers Garnier, XXXI p. +615 pp.

An exceptional illustrated eighth edition (first 1832) of amusing fairy tales by one of the most famous French writers of all time, Honoré de Balzac (1798-1850). This collection is a reminiscence of Boccaccio's Decameron, as the Author himself wrote in the prologue. These tales became the pretext for the exceptional work of many famous French illustrators. The edition on sale has been magnificently decorated with 425 illustrations by Gustave Doré (1832-1883) one of the most prominent painters, caricaturists, illustrators and engravers of the 19th century, famous for his own "dark" style. At the beginning of the text is a list of illustrations, followed by a table of contents and notes on all earlier editions.

Twentieth century binding, decorated and gilded red full leather in db condition with some rubbing mainly at corners; spine gilded and embossed with title and geometric-plant designs with minor rubbing at bottom; interior in db condition, occasionally stains but dry; overall db condition.