A Well-Executed Fore-Edge Painting Showing a Statue of Joan of Arc that Was Lost in World War II Bombing

LA SAINTE BIBLE, CONTENANT L'ANCIEN ET LE NOUVEAU TESTAMENT.

(FORE-EDGE PAINTINGS).

(Paris: Chez L. Hachette, 1840). 224 x 131 mm. (8 1/2 x 5 1/4"). 2 p.l., 822 pp., [1] leaf (title), 1-259, [1] pp.

Attractive contemporary scarlet morocco, covers ruled in blind, central panel with an elaborate gilt-tooled cross surrounded by a scrolling frame, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments tooled with small fleurons, turn-ins tooled in gilt, all edges gilt.features a well-executed and historically important fore-edge painting that depicts a famous tribute to one of the most celebrated figures in French Catholicism. The fresh, richly painted scene here shows the Place de la Pucelle in Rouen, with the fountain of Joan of Arc featured prominently in the foreground. This view inspired works from a number of artists and writers, such as watercolorist Samuel Prout and American poet Maria White Lowell, whose poem "Rouen, Place de la Pucelle" was published ca. 1858. Visual records like this of the square and fountain are historically important because they were destroyed in the Red Week bombings of 1944. WITH AN EXCELLENT FORE-EDGE PAINTING DEPICTING LA PLACE DE LA PUCELLE, ROUEN. Occasional early pencil marginalia. Corners a bit bumped, edges and joints with a little rubbing (but this well disguised with dye), spine very slightly sunned and dried. Occasional scattered spots (mostly marginal), other trivial defects, but generally fine internally, very fresh and quite bright. An attractive binding with a very lovely painting.

This attractive French-language Bible features a well-executed and historically important fore-edge painting that depicts a famous tribute to one of the most celebrated figures in French Catholicism. The fresh, richly painted scene here shows the Place de la Pucelle in Rouen, with the fountain of Joan of Arc featured prominently in the foreground. This view inspired works from a number of artists and writers, such as watercolorist Samuel Prout and American poet Maria White Lowell, whose poem "Rouen, Place de la Pucelle" was published ca. 1858. Visual records like this of the square and fountain are historically important because they were destroyed in the Red Week bombings of 1944. (ST20481-06)

Price: $950.00