Eugène Hallberg – History of Foreign Literatures | Complete Set 1879-1880 | Petite Collection Lemerre

Complete two-volume first edition of Histoire des Littératures Étrangères depuis leurs origines jusqu'en 1850 by Eugène Hallberg, published in Paris by Alphonse Lemerre in 1879 and 1880.

In this extensive history of literature, Hallberg examines the development of various European and North American literary traditions from their origins to the mid-19th century. The first volume covers Scandinavian, German, and Dutch literature. The second volume continues with English and Anglo-American literature and Slavic traditions, including Polish and Russian literature.

The set belongs to the Petite Collection Lemerre and is bound in matching dark green publisher's cloth. Both volumes are richly decorated with gilt lettering, black border lines, and Alphonse Lemerre's characteristic publisher's vignette. The spines also bear the title, author, year, and gilded Lemerre vignette. The text blocks have striking red edges.

Both volumes have been particularly well preserved for their age. The green cloth has retained its deep colour and the gilt printing is still bright. Only light wear is visible at the edges, corners, and ends of the spines. The text blocks are firm and well attached to the bindings. Foxing is scattered throughout the interior, mainly on a few front and back leaves and occasionally through the text.

An attractive complete set from the late 19th century, both an interesting and historical study of European literature and noteworthy for its neat uniform Lemerre binding.

Details:

• Author: Louis-Eugène Hallberg (1839-1921)
• Title: Histoire des Littératures Étrangères depuis leurs origines jusqu'en 1850
• Publisher: Alphonse Lemerre
• Series: Petite Collection Lemerre
• Place of publication: Paris
• Edition: first edition
• Number of volumes: 2, complete set
• Volume I: 1879, 382 pages
• Volume II: 1880, 396 pages
• Volume I: Scandinavian, German, and Dutch literature
• Volume II: English, Anglo-American, and Slavic literature
• Language: French
• Binding: green cloth/percaline hardcover
• Decoration: gilt printing and black border decoration
• Edges: red
• Dimensions per volume: approx. 15.7 × 9.6 cm
• Thickness of volume I: approx. 2.8 cm
• Thickness of volume II: approx. 2.7 cm
• Origin: France

Condition:
Antiquarian set in good to very good condition. The green bindings are firm and remarkably fresh for their age, with only light wear at the edges, corners, and head and tail of the spines. The gilt printing is well preserved. Both text blocks are firm. The paper shows normal age-related discolouration and scattered foxing, more pronounced on some leaves. See the photos for a complete picture of the condition.