Contes en Prose - François Coppée - Alphonse Lemerre, Paris 1882

A beautifully preserved copy of Contes en Prose by the French writer François Coppée, published in Paris by Alphonse Lemerre in 1882.

This 19th-century edition contains a collection of French short stories about daily life, human relationships, and the society of that time. Coppée was a respected poet and writer who was inducted into the prestigious Académie française in 1884.

The book is bound in a particularly fine half-leather binding. The dark brown, grained spine features raised bands, gold-colored lettering, and decorative fleur-de-lis motifs. The covers are finished with striking marbled paper in warm yellow, brown, and green tones.

Upon opening the book, the beautiful blue endpapers immediately catch the eye. Their vivid marbled pattern, with red veins and light blue bands, creates a striking contrast with the exterior.

The interior is also well-crafted, with elegant initials, ornaments, and decorative tailpieces at the end of the various stories.

The book is in remarkably good condition for its age. The binding is sturdy, the gold stamping on the spine is almost entirely preserved, and the interior is clean and highly readable. There are slight signs of use and some minor traces of age.

An attractive copy for enthusiasts of French literature, historical bookbinding, and decorative antique books.

Details:

• Author: François Coppée (1842–1908)
• Title: Contes en Prose
• Publisher: Alphonse Lemerre
• Printer: Charles Unsinger
• Publication: Paris, 1882
• Printing completed: April 20, 1882
• Presumed first edition
• Language: French
• Extent: 198 numbered pages
• Binding: half-leather binding with marbled covers
• Spine with raised bands and gold stamping
• Blue marbled endpapers
• Dimensions: approximately 18.5 × 12 × 2 cm
• Condition: very good for its age, with light signs of use and age
• Origin: France