three books sitting next to each other on top of a white surface
ALDE

251 - [MISSALS]. BINDINGS WITH CHISELLED EDGES BY GRUEL.
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Estimate €800 - €1,000
Sale commission
Description
[MISSALS]. BINDINGS WITH CHISELLED EDGES BY GRUEL. A set of 3 missals. ROMAN PARISH MISSAL containing the Offices for all Sundays… in Latin and French… Paris, Belin-Leprieur and Marisot. In-16, front cover decorated with inlaid chiselled silver fleurons, framed by silver fillets; in the centre of the cover, an oval medallion of carved ivory with a finely chiselled silver border, depicting the Annunciation, chiselled silver clasp; round spine in blue velvet entirely covered with a chiselled silver decoration; gilt edges entirely covered with a complex floral design framed by gilt dotted lines; lined and with endpapers of ivory silk. ([Gruel]). 4 full-page black plates. An exceptional binding in many respects, owing to the skill of the ivory carver, the goldsmith and the bookbinder, particularly with regard to the chiselling of the gilt edges. Regarding these, a note from the volume’s owner states that “Devauchelle, who was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France for gilt edging and who was unquestionably a leading specialist in the field, to whom I showed this volume in 1987, attributed the binding to Gruel and told me that he regarded this volume as ‘the absolute masterpiece’, unsurpassable, of gilt edges.’ The velvet on the spine is partially split. RENAISSANCE PARISHAL BOOK containing the services… Paris, Gruel Engelmann, 1883. In-12, red morocco, framed with triple gilt fillets, gilt fleurs-de-lis at the corners, a crowned gilt monogram in the centre of the front cover, spined back decorated with gilt panels, shell-shaped metal clasps and morocco leather straps with double fillets, lined in red silk, gilt date stamped on the silk, interior lace, finely chiselled gilt edges (Gruel). Text in one or two columns within Renaissance-inspired frames, watercoloured and gummed plates. In mint condition. Binding bearing the crowned monogram of an unidentified marquis (M. V.?). PAROISSIEN ROMAIN based on 15th-century French printed works. Paris, Gruel and Engelmann, printed by Claye. Full brown morocco, covers fitted with damascened nickel silver plates forming scrolls imitating hinges and serving as clasps, gilt fillets on the edges, reinforcing brackets at the corners, gilt and finely chiselled edges (Gruel). Missal adorned with beautiful historiated borders, illustrations within the text and 8 separate plates, 4 of which are in colour. Texts by A. Driou, drawings by Auguste Ledoux. Three masterpieces by Gruel, representative of the splendour and excellence of French bookbinding at its zenith.
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About the sale Xavier de Planhol Library – The Origins of the Novel
Auction location
Auction time 09/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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