Eugène Nyon - Grandeur and Decadence of a Pink Cape (1863) | Illustrated

Antique French illustrated edition of Grandeur et décadence d'une capote rose by Eugène Nyon, published in Paris by E. Ducrocq. The work was originally published in 1863 and follows the history of a pink "capote", a fashionable women's hat from the mid-19th century.

Through the rise and fall of this hat, Nyon paints a picture of fashion, commerce and social life in his time. The story begins with the manufacture of the capote and follows the fashion item as it changes owners and social environments. Thus, the book is not only a literary work, but also interesting as a snapshot of French fashion and consumer culture.

The edition is richly illustrated with 19th-century black-and-white engravings. Several illustrations are signed in the image, including work by Henri Telory and Pégard. The detailed depictions show, among other things, historical clothing, hat shops, interiors and scenes from daily life and form an important part of the book's appeal.

This copy contains, in addition to Grandeur et décadence d'une capote rose, also Histoire d'une paire de gants. The second work begins on page 295 and the book continues to page 514, where the text concludes with "FIN". This is followed by the table of contents.

The original red linen/percaline publisher's binding is richly decorated with blind-stamped ornaments and gold lettering. On the front cover are the author, the shortened title Une Capote Rose, the publisher E. Ducrocq and the series Bibliothèque illustrée des familles françaises et étrangères. The spine also bears gilded title and author lettering. All three edges of the book block are gilded and the gold edges are still remarkably well preserved.

Details:

• Author: Eugène Nyon
• Title: Grandeur et décadence d'une capote rose
• Additional work: Histoire d'une paire de gants
• Publisher: E. Ducrocq, Libraire-Éditeur
• Place of publication: Paris
• Date: ca. 1863 / 1860s
• Language: French
• Extent: 514 pages + table of contents
• Illustrations: numerous 19th-century black-and-white engravings
• Signed illustrations: including Henri Telory and Pégard
• Subjects: French fashion, society and daily life in the 19th century
• Binding: original red linen/percaline publisher's binding
• Decoration: gold and blind stamping
• Edges: gilt edges all around
• Endpapers: yellow
• Dimensions: ca. 18 × 12 cm
• Thickness: ca. 2 cm
• Origin: France

Condition:
Good antiquarian condition. The original publisher's binding is sturdy and the binding is in good order. The red linen shows normal wear and discoloration, with slight wear and fraying at the ends of the spine and signs of use along the corners and edges. The gold lettering on the front cover and spine is well preserved and the gilt edges all around are still remarkably bright. The interior is very neat for its age, with normal age discoloration and scattered light foxing spots. The illustrations are clear and well preserved. The book runs to page 514, followed by the table of contents. See the photos for a complete picture of the condition.