Antique French Ladies Almanach w/Etui (Box), "Hommage aux Dames, Morceaux Choisis de Litterature" circa 1820-1830

The French text is enhanced by five full page engravings which include: "Her Child Sleeps", the town of Haarlem, "Water Colours", Cathedrale de Nantes and the Cathedrale of Nantes. The engravings are very detailed. Of particular interest, are the two of Nantes and Milan, as the two cathedrals are depicted as they appeared in the early nineteenth century.

Additionally there are twelve vignette engravings of the zodiac signs. They serve as headers to blank pages which were intended for the owner to write notes or important dates under each month of the year. This little book remains without any manuscript writing from the period.

The binding is of French "cartonnage", a hard paper binding. The rich, rose color is just luscious. The front and back cover boards have a 1/2" wide gilt tooled frame consisting of flowers and scrolls. The spine is gilt tooled with a swirling and climbing design of gilt tooled leaves and vines. The little "etui" or box is gilt tooled with a different design of flowers and circles, with a Greek key motif at the bottom. The spine of the box is gilt tooled with five compartments, each of which holds a gilt tooled flower. The page edges of the text are gilt tipped as well. The binding measures: 4 3/4" x 3" x 3/4" thick (the box slightly larger, fitting over the box like a glove).

The binding survives in very good condition, with little wear to the edges and corners and almost no color loss. The gilt tooling remains bright and fresh. The box is darkened with age but remains sturdy and sound. The text does have some minor foxing throughout.

It is a beautifully designed almanach, with an endearing text.

Item ID: LC104