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Sold as is, as shown. This is a remarkable piece of educational and personal history: a 1904 copy of the legendary French schoolbook Le Tour de la France par deux enfants (The Tour of France by Two Children), published by Librairie Classique Eugène Belin in Paris. This specific copy features a beautiful, handwritten provenance inscription on the flyleaf: "Regina M. Cavanagh, Santa Barbara, Calif., 1934." Historical research reveals that Regina was a French immigrant born in 1901 who moved to California, bringing her native culture with her. The book shows authentic wear from a century of travel and study, including a weathered spine, edge wear on the boards, and the natural patination of time. Please review the high-resolution photos carefully to assess its precise exterior and interior condition.
The Story Behind the Author's Pseudonym:
The title page credits the book to G. Bruno. This was the closely guarded pen name of Augustine Fouillée (née Tuillerie), one of the most influential female minds in French educational history. In the male-dominated academic world of 19th-century France, women faced severe institutional bias. To ensure her work would be taken seriously by government ministries and conservative school boards, she adopted a male surname. She chose "Bruno" as a proud tribute to the 16th-century philosopher Giordano Bruno. Her strategy worked flawlessly; the book became the single most successful textbook in French history, teaching patriotism, geography, and virtue to generations of children.
CONDITION NOTE:
This is an antique item over 120 years old. It features a fragile spine, shelf wear, corner rounding, and page browning consistent with a heavily loved turn-of-the-century schoolbook. It is sold strictly as is, as shown in the pictures. It makes a magnificent display piece for collectors of rare textbooks, French history, or unique California immigration memorabilia.
