SAINT-PIERRE (Bernardin de). - Lot 223

SAINT-PIERRE (Bernardin de). Paul et Virginie. Paris, Curmer, 1838. Large in-8, green chagrin, two gilt bold and lean fillets, on the boards two large plates joined together forming a frame, smooth spine adorned throughout with a plate, four interior fillets, ivory moiré paper lining and endpapers, gilt edges (Simier R. du Roi). A celebrated edition, one of the jewels of the Romantic illustrated book. First edition. The illustration includes some 450 woodcut vignettes, 29 plates printed on chine monté and 7 portraits, under captioned serpents, engraved by Tony Johannot, Isabey, Paul Huet, Marville, etc., and a colored map of the Ile de France by Dyonnet. Sumptuous binding by Alphonse Simier decorated with rocaille plates. The one on the spine, frequently used by the bookbinder to bind copies of Paul et Virginie, is reproduced by Beraldi, La Reliure du XIXe siècle, t. II, opposite p. 48.