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HERNANI OU L'HONNEUR CASTILLAN.
(Paris: Mame et Delaunay-Valleé, 1830). 225 x 143 mm. (8 3/4 x 5 3/4"). 2 p.l., vii, [1], 154 pp., [7] leaves (ads). FIRST EDITION.
DAZZLING AUBERGINE CRUSHED MOROCCO, ELABORATELY INLAID AND GILT, BY GRUEL (stamp-signed at foot of spine and on front turn-in), covers inlaid to an Art Nouveau design of curving lines and botanical elements in red, citron, tobacco, ivory, and teal morocco, raised bands, spine compartments with tan morocco and gilt centerpiece, BEAUTIFUL MOSAIC DOUBLURES with a complex Moorish lattice design in turquoise, red, and dark brown morocco, and much gilt, dark brown jacquard silk endleaves, all edges gilt on the rough. In the matching suede-lined, morocco-backed chemise and morocco-trimmed slipcase. Original paper wrappers bound in. Bibliotheque de M. René Descamps-Scrive II, 423 (this copy); Carteret II, 399. A FLAWLESS COPY.
This is the superb Descamps-Scrive copy of Hugo's revolutionary play in a binding by one of the great French masters—a bibliopegic achievement that reflects the play with its memorably exuberant and flamboyant style, as seen particularly in the intricacy of its highly decorative doublures. When "Hernani" debuted on 25 February 1830, it caused a fierce argument among the audience--between the young Romantics led by Hugo's friend Théophile Gautier and the fans of classical theatrical styles--that became known as the Battle of Hernani. According to the Library of Congress, "The clashes lasted several days and marked the triumph of romantic drama, which dominated the stages of French theaters for years to come." Gautier would later reminisce: "February 25, 1830! This date remains written in the depths of our past in flamboyant characters: the very first performance of Hernani! That evening decided our lives! It was there that we received the impetus which still drives us on after so many years, and which will see us through to the end of our career." The binding here is as uninhibited by tradition and as over-the-top dramatic as the play, with arresting design motifs inspired by Art Nouveau and Orientalism, and with richly colored leathers that both contrast with and complement each other. In her "Bookbinders and their Craft," Prideaux says that the Gruel firm, founded in 1811, "has always had the highest reputation . . . for initiative in artistic matters, as well as for irreproachable execution in the detail of its many-sided achievements." Our binding stands as testament to the truth of this statement. The Gruel bindery was managed by several family members over the years, most famously by Léon Gruel (1841-1923), and the list of binders who trained at the Gruel atelier is the most distinguished in Europe. Our binding was very probably done by Léon in the late 19th century for the famed French bibliophile René Descamps-Scrive (1853-1924), whose collection was as prestigious as Henri Beraldi's. Descamps-Scrive owned the volume in any case, as it was auctioned after his death as part of his library at the Parisian gallery Georges Petit in May 1925, where it was lot no. 423 (with full-page illustration). Like Beraldi, Descamps-Scrive collected beautiful bindings that typified major styles and periods, and was known for his insistence on acquiring only volumes in perfect condition. We have sold many fine bindings with elaborately decorated doublures, but nothing quite like the ones seen here: they resemble a kind of fiery thicket, although formed with rigorous control by a masterly binder. (ST19754)
Price: $12,500.00