Story of a Peasant - Part 2 - Erckmann-Chatrian - J. Hetzel, Paris 1869

A beautifully bound French book from 1869 by the writing duo Erckmann-Chatrian, published by J. Hetzel in Paris.

Histoire d'un paysan, subtitled La Patrie en danger, 1792, is the second volume of a historical novel cycle about the French Revolution. The story describes the profound political and social changes of this period from the perspective of an ordinary country dweller.

The novel addresses, among other things, the abolition of old privileges, the changing position of the church, and the revolutionary wars. As such, the book offers an interesting nineteenth-century literary perspective on one of the most important periods in French history.

This copy was published within the Bibliothèque d'Éducation et de Récréation, a well-known book series by the French publisher J. Hetzel.

Particularly attractive is the well-kept binding, with a deep red spine and marbled covers in red, black, and brown. The spine features gold-colored lettering and decorative lines.

On the inside are striking marbled endpapers with a pattern of ochre-yellow areas and fine red, yellow, and dark blue veins. The ribbon marker is also still present.

The book is in good antiquarian condition. The binding shows wear at the edges and corners, with some damage to the top of the spine. The spine is slightly slanted. The book block is firm and clearly legible, with normal paper yellowing and scattered age spots.

An attractive nineteenth-century copy for enthusiasts of French literature, the French Revolution, and classic bookbindings.

Specifications

• Title: Histoire d'un paysan
• Subtitle: La Patrie en danger, 1792
• Author: Erckmann-Chatrian
• Authors: Émile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian
• Publisher: J. Hetzel
• Publisher series: Bibliothèque d'Éducation et de Récréation
• Year of publication: 1869
• Place of publication: Paris, France
• Volume: Second volume of a four-part series
• Language: French
• Pages: 350
• Genre: Historical novel
• Subject: French Revolution, French history
• Spine: Red with gold-colored lettering and decoration
• Cover: Deep red, black, and brown marbled decorative paper
• Endpapers: Marbled paper in ochre-yellow, red, and blue
• Ribbon marker: Present
• Dimensions: approx. 18.5 × 12.5 × 2.5 cm
• Condition: Good antiquarian condition
• Signs of use: Slight slant to the spine, wear to corners and edges, frayed top of the spine, and scattered foxing
• Book block: Firm and clearly legible
• Origin: France