GRANDVILLE. Scenes from the Private and Public Lives of Anim - Lot 165

GRANDVILLE. Scenes from the Private and Public Lives of Animals. The first popular edition, in a charming binding, of one of the masterpieces of 19th-century illustrated Romantic literature. Paris, Marescq and Havard, 1852. Large quarto, burgundy long-grain half-maroquin with corner pieces, ribbed spine richly decorated with gilt fillets, garlands, and fleurons, gilt head, covers and spine preserved (later binding). 218 pp., one engraved title page and 23 out-of-text engravings, numerous vignettes in the text. Minimal scuffing on the cap and corners of the binding; covers and spine restored; scattered small foxing spots; a few slightly browned leaves. First popular edition, printed in two columns, of this famous satirical collection. Grandville (1803–1847) illustrates these “studies of contemporary manners” by the great Romantic authors of the time (Balzac, George Sand, Charles Nodier, Stahl, J. Janin, P. Bernard, E. de La Bédollierre, L. Baude, Ed. Lemoine, etc.). His anthropomorphic animals offer a biting satire of society under the July Monarchy. In fine condition.