1911 Balzac’s Works Complete Seven-Volume Gilt-Top Antique Book Set

Details

Description

A handsome complete seven-volume set of Balzac’s Works by Honoré de Balzac, published in New York by The Century Co. … Read more A handsome complete seven-volume set of Balzac’s Works by Honoré de Balzac, published in New York by The Century Co. in 1911.

The coordinated set is bound in muted green cloth, with dark-brown rectangular title areas on the spines and gilt-toned lettering identifying each volume and its principal works. The top page edges are gilt, adding a warm decorative accent and creating a particularly attractive presentation when the books are arranged together.

Inside Volume I, an engraved portrait of Honoré de Balzac faces an elegantly designed floral title page. That page identifies the collection as La Comédie Humaine of Honoré de Balzac, commonly translated into English as The Human Comedy. The interiors feature traditional typography, decorative title treatments and additional period illustrations.

The seven volumes contain an extensive selection of Balzac’s celebrated novels and stories:

Volume I — The Magic Skin, Christ in Flanders and Melmoth Reconciled

Volume II — Eugénie Grandet, A Study of Woman and La Grande Bretèche

Volume III — Cousin Pons

Volume IV — César Birotteau and The Secret of a Princess

Volume V — Father Goriot, The Unconscious Humorists and Gaudissart the Great

Volume VI — The Country Doctor, The Vendetta and Colonel Chabert

Volume VII — The Chouans and A Passion in the Desert

The matching green bindings, aged gilt top edges and coordinated spine lettering give the collection the distinguished appearance of an early-20th-century private library. The set would make a sophisticated addition to a traditional study, bookcase, home library, living room or collected interior. It offers appeal both as a readable literary collection and as a substantial decorative grouping of antique books.

Each volume measures approximately 8.25 inches high by 5.5 inches deep. Displayed together, the complete seven-volume set measures approximately 10 inches W × 5.5 D × 8.25 H.

This listing includes all seven books. The eagle bookends and any other accessories appearing in styled photographs are display props only and are not included.

CONDITION

Good antique condition consistent with books published more than 110 years ago. The muted green cloth bindings retain a cohesive and attractive appearance, with expected surface wear, minor marks, rubbing along the edges and scattered fraying or softening at the spine crowns and corners.

The dark-brown rectangular title areas on the spines show rubbing, fading and wear to portions of the gilt-toned lettering. The gilt top page edges remain visible but have mellowed, darkened and developed an aged patina.

Interior pages show expected age toning with occasional scattered spotting or foxing. The decorative title page, portrait frontispiece and printed contents remain attractive and legible. No dust jackets are present. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description. See less