The Life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga - Barbou Frères 1846 - Antique French Religious Book

A particularly beautifully preserved example of a French religious book from the Romantic period. La Vie de S. Louis de Gonzague, de la Compagnie de Jésus was published in 1846 by Barbou Frères, imprimeurs-libraires in Limoges, as part of the Bibliothèque chrétienne et morale, approved by the Bishop of Limoges.

The book recounts the life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the 16th-century Italian nobleman who renounced his noble status to join the Jesuit order. The edition includes an engraved frontispiece after H. Cabasson, engraved by A. Portier.

Particularly attractive is the original 19th-century publisher's binding. The dark glazed cartonnage is extensively decorated on the front cover, back cover, and spine with gilt floral ornaments, birds, rocaille motifs, and decorative frames. Such richly executed French bindings are known as cartonnages romantiques and were used in the 19th century for, among other things, religious, educational, and moral publications.

The copy bears old ownership inscriptions and a pasted-in name label, traces of the book's long history of use. The text runs to the final page 285 with the original imprint of Barbou Frères.

The binding construction has become fragile after approximately 180 years. The text block is still intact, but is relatively loose from the spine at the front, and the spine and hinges show clear wear and damage. As a result, the book can no longer stand firmly upright on its own. Despite these traces of age, the rich original decoration remains remarkably well-preserved.

Details:

• Title: La Vie de S. Louis de Gonzague, de la Compagnie de Jésus
• Publisher: Barbou Frères, Imprimeurs-Libraires
• Place of publication: Limoges, France
• Year: 1846
• Language: French
• Subject: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Jesuits, Catholic hagiography
• Series: Bibliothèque chrétienne et morale
• Illustration: engraved frontispiece after H. Cabasson, engraved by A. Portier
• Pages: 285 numbered pages
• Binding: richly gold-decorated Romantic publisher's cartonnage
• Dimensions: approx. 18.5 × 11 × 2.2 cm
• Condition: fair antique condition, with clear wear to binding, spine, corners, and hinges. The binding construction is fragile and the text block is relatively loose from the spine at the front. Interior is predominantly legible with normal discoloration and traces of use consistent with age.