1830 Nodier Michel Chroniques Francoises Hand Colored Gold Gothic Leather Bound For Sale

FRANCISQUE MICHEL / CHARLES NODIER

CHRONIQUES FRANÇOISES DE JACQUES GONDAR, CLERC

Paris: Louis Janet, [1830]. First edition.

Hand-Colored Illustrations Heightened in Gold
Full Calf Leather with an Unusual Pictorial Gothic Spine

A striking example of French Romantic book design, combining illustrations colored by hand and heightened in gold with an unusual calf leather binding whose decorated spine evokes a Gothic stained-glass window.

MICHEL, Francisque. Chroniques françoises de Jacques Gondar, clerc. Publiées par F. Michel, suivies de Recherches sur le style par Charles Nodier.

Paris: Louis Janet, [1830]. Text in French.

Created in imitation of a medieval chronicle, this elaborate literary pastiche brings together Gothic typography, ornamental initials, richly decorated borders and manuscript-style illumination. The supposed chronicler, Jacques Gondar, was fictitious: the work was composed by Francisque Michel and accompanied by Charles Nodier’s study of literary style.

Illustration and Decoration

The volume includes an ornamental title and four full-page illustrations, engraved by Rouargue after Alexandre Colin, together with elaborate initials and decorative borders. The illustrations and principal ornaments are colored by hand and heightened in gold.

Knights, figures, animals and scrolling foliage inhabit the decorated pages, giving the book the visual character of an illuminated manuscript. Two leaves of engraved music include the Chanson du Roy Richard.

The Binding

Full tan calf leather, with gilt page edges and richly marbled endpapers.

The most distinctive feature is the smooth spine, decorated with an elongated Gothic architectural composition enclosing a standing medieval figure. Dark outlines, colored details and metallic accents create an effect reminiscent of stained glass. The title appears above the pictorial decoration.

The comparatively restrained boards draw attention to this unusually elaborate spine, which complements the medieval imagery within.

The binding is unsigned. Its Gothic decoration belongs to the Romantic medieval revival associated with the publication; its maker and exact date have not been established.

Condition

Very good overall, with rubbing, handling marks and uneven coloration to the calf. The binding remains sound, and the pictorial spine retains its architectural detail and colored decoration, with wear consistent with age.

Internally, light toning and scattered spotting or foxing. The hand coloring remains attractive, with extensive surviving gold highlights. Marbled endpapers and gilt page edges.

Please examine the photographs carefully for the binding, decoration and condition.

An appealing combination of French Romantic literature, hand illumination and unusual pictorial leather binding.