extra-illustrated copy with fine provenance

This beautiful set has been bound by the famous binder Henri Noulhac (1866-1931). Noulhac set up his workshop at 10 rue de Buci in Paris in 1894 and was soon considered a 'superlative craftsman', becoming a leader in the art deco style.

Henri Béraldi (1849–1931), one of Noulhac's patrons, was a renowned French bibliophile, publisher and author of books on the Pyrenees and on French printmakers of the 19th century. His collection 'consisted mainly of French illustrated books and books with special bindings, and was considered one of the four most important collections of its type'.

2 vols, 8vo. in 4s, I: [4], xxvi, 374 pp., with copper-engraved frontispiece; II: [4], 375-775, [1] pp.; bound with 39 contemporary copper-engraved plates, each in two states (two plates appear in three states), and 12 pen and ink drawings dated variously 1821-2, trimmed and mounted, one with copper-engraved portrait inset; later straight-grained red morocco gilt by Noulhac, signed and dated 1918 in gilt at foot of spine, edges gilt, silk endleaves and doublures; minimal rubbing at extremities, otherwise a very fine extra-illustrated set.