The Imitation of Jesus Christ - Alfred Mame & Sons, Tours 1890 - No. 73

An exceptionally well-preserved French edition of L'Imitation de Jésus-Christ, published in 1890 by Alfred Mame et Fils in Tours.

This compact devotional book measures just 10.5 × 7 cm and is bound in dark brown leather with raised bands and a gilt title on the spine. The edges are fully gilt, and the front cover bears ornate gilt initials of a former owner.

The interior finish is particularly beautiful. The leather binding is bordered by rich gilt ornamentation and combined with gold and dark red decorated endpapers. The original multi-colored ribbon bookmark has also been preserved.

The book contains the French translation of The Imitation of Christ by Abbé F. de Lamennais, supplemented with reflections, prayers for Holy Mass, and Sunday vespers. The text pages are finished with fine red borders.

A religious engraving of Mary with the Christ Child was drawn by L. D. J. Hallez and engraved by Schneider. The thin tissue guard for the illustration is also still present.

For a devotional book from 1890, this copy is in exceptionally well-kept antiquarian condition. The combination of its small size, leather binding, extensive gilding, and virtually perfectly preserved luxury finishes makes it a particularly attractive 19th-century book.

Specifications

• Title: L'Imitation de Jésus-Christ
• Translation: Abbé F. de Lamennais
• Publisher: Alfred Mame et Fils
• Place: Tours, France
• Year: 1890
• Period: late 19th century
• Language: French
• Type: devotional and prayer book
• Binding: dark brown leather
• Spine: raised bands and gilt title
• Edges: fully gilt
• Inner edges: richly gilt
• Endpapers: gold and dark red decorated
• Illustration: after L. D. J. Hallez, engraved by Schneider
• Includes tissue guard for the illustration
• With multi-colored ribbon bookmark
• Dimensions: approx. 10.5 × 7 cm
• Thickness: approx. 1.7 cm
• Condition: exceptionally well-preserved antiquarian condition, with minor signs of age and use