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ALDE

135 - CORNEILLE (Pierre and Thomas). Masterpieces. Paris, de l'imp…
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Estimate €4,000 - €5,000
Sale commission
Description
CORNEILLE (Pierre and Thomas). Masterpieces. Paris, de l'imprimerie et de la fonderie stéréotype de Pierre et Firmin Didot, 1800. 4 volumes large in-18, varnished gilt cardboard, boards decorated with various frames and a large figure engraved in black, smooth spine decorated with an engraved frieze of flowers and ears of corn, cross-hatched edges, gilt edges, box (Period binding). Stereotype edition of the main dramatic works by Pierre Corneille and his younger brother Thomas, printed using the process perfected by Firmin Didot in 1797. Copy on wove paper. Very rare specimen of bindings with odourless varnish, known as "Martin varnish", decorated with fine black engravings on a gold background, representing eight different mythological figures and antique scenes. Used by furniture and objets d'art craftsmen in the eighteenth century, the Martin varnish process was only occasionally extended to bookbinding, especially in the early years of the nineteenth century, when it was used to decorate small stereotype editions. After first being described by Gruel, this type of varnish binding was the subject of a first inventory by Albert Ehrman, which included only eighteen specimens (cf. The Book Collector, XIV, 1965, pp. 523-527). The copy is complete with its workshop marks (engraved patent label and dry stamp) in the first volume. From the Maurice Burrus library, with bookplate (acquired from Briquet, Paris, 1934). Hinges cracked and re-stained, small incidents and restorations to the binding, some foxing, box worn.
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About the sale Antiquarian books from the 15th to the 19th century - Astronomy
Auction location
Auction time 06/24/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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