OEUVRES COMPLETES DE MOLIERE Classiques Francois Collection de Prince Imperial Dedie a Son Altesse Imperiale Ave L'Autorisation de L'Empereur [eight volumes]
Briere, Biblipile: Paris, 1863. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #21-4837
Fine bindings by Auguste Fontaine. Frontis, 5.25 x 3.5", red leather spines, raised bands, gilt lettering, marbled boards and endpapers, teg, green ribbons, 348, 347, 435, 359, 437, 339, 391; 434pp plus table on contents in all. Covers have light rubbing and wear, shelfworn, spines are darkened/scuffed/scraped and tip of outer hinges have cracking, front inner hinge of Volume I cracking, bookplate in each volume, blank pages toned, 4/8 ribbons, occasional light foxing/soiling/corner tips creased else very good condition. Bindings tight. It appears that this set had leather corners as there are lines and light impressions. Auguste Fontaine, 1813-1882 was the founder of Librairie Fontaine which started up in 1834. By the 1860s he was one of the most well-known French booksellers who dealt in elegant books and rare editions and had a staff of skilled bookbinders to embellish his inventory. Fontaine said "Put well-bound books before the most indifferent person...one will be caught up as if viewing a jewel." Bookplates are those of Alex Ralli, possibly the Alex Ralli (1816-1869) of Ralli Brothers cotton brokers.
Price: $350.00