| The reproduction of the binding shown above can be found on line in the Sotheby's LIVRES ET MANUSCRITS auction catalogue of 18 DÉCEMBRE 2014, Paris. (click here to see it). It sold for 37.500 Euros and was not in perfect condition. Below is the Sotheby's description for this binding as well as a rough translation. |
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Almanach royal 1752 ALMANACH ROYAL ANNÉE M. DCC. LII. PARIS, LE BRETON, 1752. In-8 (204 x 125 mm). Maroquin blanc découpé, large bordure florale mosaïquée de maroquin vert, rouge et orange, dorée de striures au filet, le champs de maroquin peint et doré d'un treillis vert rehaussé de points rouges et oranges, aux angles et au centre, en réserve, peintures miniatures polychromes : au centre du premier plat dans une bordure festonnée de maroquin vert fleurdelisé, une Renommée surmontée de l'écu de France tenant à la main la Toison d'or, accompagnée d'un ange portant l'emblème de l'ordre du Saint-Esprit ; au centre du second plat, le chiffre de Louis XV, LBA, Louis le Bien Aimé ; dans les angles des deux plats, petits cartouches peints aux armes de France, aux armes de Navarre, au chiffre LBA, et aux symboles royaux des sceptre et main de la Justice, dos lisse orné aux entrenerfs de caissons mosaïqués alternativement de maroquin rouge et olive, tranches dorées (Reliure de l'époque). Grande étiquette de Dubuisson fils, aux armes royales, collée vis-à-vis le titre. Quelques minimes manques de peau ou de peintures et quelques restaurations (bordures des cartouches angulaires et centraux). Tranchefile inférieure partiellement décousue. Exceptionnel exemplaire de Louis XV, dans une reliure mosaïquée et peinte de 10 ravissantes miniatures. Louis le Bien Aimé était, malgré la riche et nombreuse descendance que s'était assurée Louis XIV, le seul Bourbon à pouvoir porter la couronne à la mort de son arrière grand-père. En 1715 il n'avait que cinq ans et la branche aînée des Bourbon ne tenait qu'à un fil. En 1744, lorsqu'il échappe de peu à la mort lors de son voyage à Metz, son surnom de Louis le Bien Aimé est officialisé. Il figure ici au verso du volume, occurence rare sur un livre à ses armes, aucun fer n'ayant jamais été gravé à ce chiffre pour le décor des reliures à ses armes. Cette reliure est citée par Michon dans Les Reliures mosaïquées du XVIIIe siècle (n° 242), qui l'attribue à Derome. De la bibliothèque Cortlandt Bishop (avec son ex-libris au verso de la première contregarde, elle figure sous le n° 10 de son catalogue The Magnificent French Library, New York, 1848). In-8 (204 x 125 mm). White morocco inlaid with, large floral border mosaic of green, red and orange morocco, the morocco painted and gilded with a green trellis enhanced with red and orange dots, at the corners and center, in reserve, polychrome miniature paintings: in the center of the front board in a festooned border of green morocco fleurdelisé, a fame surmounted by the shield of France holding in hand the Golden Fleece, accompanied by an angel bearing the emblem of the order of the Holy Spirit; in the center of the back board, the monogram of Louis XV, LBA, Louis the Beloved (Louis le Bien Aimé); in the corners of the two dishes, small cartouches painted with the arms of France, with the arms of Navarre, with the LBA monogram, and with the royal symbols of the scepter and hand of Justice, smooth spine adorned with alternating mosaic compartments alternatively red and olive morocco , gilded edges (Reliure de l'époque). Dubuisson's large ticket (etiquette) with royal arms, glued opposite to the title page. Some minimal lack of leather or paints and some restorations (borders of the central and angular cartridges). Lower headband partially disjointed. Exceptional copy of Louis XV, in a mosaic binding, painted with 10 beautiful miniatures. Louis the Beloved was, in spite of the rich and numerous descendants assured by Louis XIV, he was the only Bourbon who could wear the crown on the death of his great-grandfather in 1715. At the time he was only five years old, and the old branch of the Bourbon was hanging on only by a thread. In 1744, when he narrowly escaped death during his trip to Metz, his nickname of Louis the Beloved become officialized. It appears here on the back of this volume (LBA), a rare occurrence on a book bearing his arms, this monogram having never been engraved previously for the decor of such a binding. This binding is quoted by Michon in his book Les Reliures mosaïquées du XVIIIe siècle (No. 242), he attributed it to Derome. (even though Dubussion's large ticket was inside). From the Cortlandt Bishop Library (with their ex-libris on the back of the first free endpaper, it appears as No. 10 in their catalogue, The Magnificent French Library, New York, 1848). |
| Here then is another classic example of Michon's handywork, this exceptional work of art has been attributed by him to J A Derome, its like attributing the frescos of Famulus to Nero. This binding compares well with our other 1752 Almanach Royal binding. The only thing I question is Sotheby's measurements for this binding they claim it is almost a centimeter taller than most Almanachs of this kind. |
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| Even experts are sometimes wrong, before you spend thousands on a book, please do your own research! Just because I say a certain binding can be attributed to le Maitre isn't any kind of guarantee, don't take my word for it, go a step further and get your own proof. In these pages I have provided you with a way of doing just that. |
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