History of the White Queen - Théodore Nisard - Ad Mame et Cie, Tours 1848

A richly decorated French edition of Histoire de la Reine Blanche, Mère de Saint Louis by Théodore Nisard, published in Tours by Ad Mame et Cie in 1848.

The book tells the life of Blanche of Castile, queen of France, wife of Louis VIII and mother of the later Saint Louis. Nisard describes not only her place within the French royal family, but also her political influence, her regency and the religious and social conflicts of thirteenth-century France.

Particularly attractive is the original nineteenth-century publisher's cloth binding. Both the boards and the spine are extensively decorated with gold-colored floral ornaments. The book also contains historical engravings with protective leaves, including a depiction of the coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile.

A characteristic French book from the mid-nineteenth century in which history, Catholic culture and the decorative book production of the Mame publishing house come together.

Details:

• Title: Histoire de la Reine Blanche, Mère de Saint Louis
• Author: Théodore Nisard
• Publisher: Ad Mame et Cie, Imprimeurs-Libraires
• Place of publication: Tours, France
• Year: 1848
• Edition: Nouvelle édition
• Series: Bibliothèque des Écoles Chrétiennes
• Subject: Blanche of Castile, French royal history
• Language: French
• Extent: 260 numbered pages including table of contents
• Binding: bound book with richly decorated publisher's cloth binding
• Decoration: gold-colored floral ornamentation on front board, back board and spine
• Illustrated with historical engravings
• Original protective leaves with the engravings present
• Old handwritten ownership and school notes present
• Dimensions: approx. 18.5 × 11.5 cm
• Thickness: approx. 2 cm
• Spine, hinges and binding still fairly sturdy
• Scattered foxing and age-related discoloration
• Wear to corners, edges and ends of the spine
• Local loss and damage to the cloth covering