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272 x 172 mm. (10 3/4 x 6 3/4"). Two volumes. HANDSOME CHOCOLATE BROWN LEVANT MOROCCO, GILT, BY PÉTRUS RUBAN (stamp-signed on front turn-in), covers framed by multiple gilt rules, raised bands, spine compartments similarly framed, gilt lettering, WITH gilt turn-ins framing LIGHT BLUE, GOLD, PINK, AND WHITE JACQUARD SILK PASTEDOWNS AND ENDLEAVES, marbled flyleaves, top edges gilt (volume II with neat repair to head of spine). Original paper wrappers bound in. With etched portrait of the author by Lalauze and 31 etchings by Edmond Morin, composed of two frontispiece plates, 28 vignette headpieces, and a tailpiece. Carteret IV, p. 278 ("Belle Illustration Cotée"); Beraldi, "Les Graveurs du XIXe siècle" X, pp. 144-45 ("un grand succès pour la Societe des Livres"). For the artist: Houfe, "Dictionary of British Book Illustrators and Caricaturists," pp. 394-95. Spines just lightly sunned, bindings with very light signs of use, boards with a hint of dulling from leather preservative, faint offsetting from etchings onto titles and pages opposite each chapter opening, otherwise very fine internally--entirely clean and fresh, with spacious margins, and in well-preserved attractive bindings. This substantially-sized, stately set offers a winning combination of handsome bindings, charming illustrations, and a deluxe bibliophile's printing in a limited edition. A novel of historical fiction, Mérimée's "Chronique" is set in the 16th century during the reign of Charles IX and the French Wars of Religion. The plot revolves around two brothers, one Catholic and one a Protestant convert, whose conflict (in the end, the Catholic brother is responsible for the Huguenot brother's death) mirrors the wider discord of the period's French Wars of Religion. The novel is known for its meticulous descriptions and faithfulness to historic fact, most notably its depiction of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, in which thousands of Huguenots were murdered by Catholic mobs. First published in 1829, the novel appears here with illustrations by Edmond Morin, "a spirited French Artist" (in Houfe's words) who worked as a painter, illustrator, and etcher in Paris and London. Our author, Prosper Mérimée (1803-70), would later become a pioneer of the novella, and is best known for his work "Carmen," upon which Bizet's famous opera was based. In addition to his literary contributions, Mérimée also played a key role in the conservation of French history. As Inspector-General of Historical Monuments from 1833-52, he travelled extensively around France documenting the country's architectural treasures and facilitating plans for their repair and preservation. His more well-known projects include the restoration of the facade of Notre-Dame de Paris, saving Vézelay Abbey from collapse, and conserving the six tapestries collectively known as "The Lady and the Unicorn." The attractive bindings here are the work of Pétrus Ruban (1851-1929). Praised by the bibliophile Octave Uzanne for taking inspiration from everything around him--flowers, birds, architecture--and for his facility with colors, Ruban became quite a fashionable binder who worked largely for the great collectors of the day, among them Beraldi, Baudin, Granjon de l'Espinay, and Romagnol. Flety notes that "with a fertile imagination, he practices all genres [of binding] with equal felicity"--a talent that is very much on display here. Ruban won silver medals at the Palace of Industry and at the Universal Exposition in 1889, with judges at the latter praising his careful study of both historic master binders and modern artists, noting that Ruban would "soon achieve the rank he so rightly seeks.". No. 43 OF 100 COPIES numbered for subscribers (this one for M. G. Masson), from a total edition of 115.
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