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Paris, Morin, 1776 In-8 of (1) f., XVI, 312 pp., Green morocco, three gold filets around the boards, in the center broad piece of red morocco surrounded by gold stars, smooth back adorned with panels and fleurons in gold , decorated board edges, gilded page edges (Gaudreau binder of the Queen). Very rare binding signed by François Gaudreau, received master bookbinder in 1756 and binder of the queen in 1773. The book bears, at the bottom the inner side of the front board, a red morocco label with the mention: "Gaudreau binder of the Queen." The binding is decorated at its center with a large round piece of red morocco surrounded by golden stars. It probably covers a place left empty by the removal (or defacement) of the coat of arms at the time of the Revolution. Very nice copy. Library Saubinet stamp and ex-libris of Leon Gruel and note, collection (No. 765). We attach an autograph ticket of Leon Gruel: "This binding is made very interesting by the signature of Gaudreau." Léon Gruel, Manuel historique et bibliographique de l'amateur de reliures I, 105 and II, 84-85. |
| The bookseller Laurent Coulet at www.laurentcoulet.com was kind enough to send me these great photos of this very rare item which I would certainly snap up from them, if I had the money. We are so lucky to find this binding which is the actual source of Leon Gruel's facsimile illustration shown on on my first page. Below in Comparative Diagram 1, I have assembled three examples of Gaudreau's famous signature, these are shown at 600 dpi which is ample to show that these imprints have been made by an identical stamp. |
| The three examples shown above represent the various ways in which Gaurdeau applied his signature, the first being on the inside of the front cover placed separately over the inner dentelle/roulette, the second placed acutally inside the roulette, and the third method of placing it near the bottom of the spine. I am not sure if Gaudreau was the first to place his signature within the inner dentelle, however this method was to become very popular in the next century. |
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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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