ALDE

108 - LAFONTAINE (Auguste). A collection of 7 novels.
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Estimate €400 - €500
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Description
LAFONTAINE (Auguste). A collection of 7 novels. Set of 20 in-12 volumes.  Auguste Lafontaine (1758–1831), born into a family of French Huguenots who had emigrated following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, was one of the most famous and prolific German novelists. Following the craze for English ‘black’ novels, French readers developed a taste for Lafontaine’s stories, works of fiction depicting all aspects of provincial life. In *Eugénie Grandet* and *Le Cousin Pons*, Balzac refers to ‘… the good-natured simplicity of the novels of Auguste Lafontaine, of peaceful memory’. 1) *The Village of Lobenstein, or The New Foundling*. Translated by Madam I. de Montolieu. Paris, Debray, 1802. 5 volumes in-12, light-coloured half-calf with corner pieces, decorated spines (bound c. 1820). 2) *Barneck and Saldorf, or The Triumph of Friendship*. Paris, Dentu, 1810. 3 volumes, same binding as the previous novel. 3) *Family Quarrels*. Translated by M. Breton. Paris, Lepetit, 1809. 2 volumes, same binding. 4) Blanche and Minna, or Bourgeois Manners. Trans. M. Breton. Paris, Dentu, 1813. 4 volumes, same binding. 5) Rodolphe de Werdemberg, or The Dangers of Ambition. Paris, Dentu, 1821. 1 volume, same binding. 6) New Family Sketches, or The Life of a Poor Village Minister and His Children. Translated by Mme de Montolieu. Paris, Arthus Bertrand, 1823. 3 volumes, brown half-basane, smooth spines with gilt faux raised bands, yellow edges (contemporary binding). From the library of the Baron de Nervo, with ex-libris. 7) The Singular Man, or Émile in the World. Paris, Dufour, 1801. 2 volumes, olive half-basane, gilt fillets (Binding circa 1820). 2 frontispieces. Volume 2 bound in full leather.  The first five titles bear the bookplate of Joseph Neeld (1789–1856), an English philanthropist and Member of Parliament.
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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
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