1869 French Prize Book, Chevert, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roi, in Green and Gilt Cartonnage Binding
1869 French Prize Book, Chevert, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roi, in Green and Gilt Cartonnage Binding
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Item: 1869 French Prize Book, Chevert, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roi, in Green & Gilt Cartonnage Binding
Additional Description
A wonderfully decorative 19th-century French school prize book, Chevert, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roi, by Fr. Joubert, published in Tours by Alfred Mame et Fils in 1869.
The book retains its original richly decorated green, cream and gilt cartonnage binding, with elaborate architectural and foliate ornament throughout. The front board centers a charming chromolithographic scene of three young men seated around a table, while the reverse is decorated with an ornate symmetrical cartouche incorporating a cross motif. The spine continues the green-and-gold decoration.
Inside is an engraved frontispiece illustrating an episode from the life of François de Chevert, the celebrated 18th-century French general. The title page identifies the work as a biography of Chevert, who rose from comparatively modest origins to become a lieutenant general in the armies of Louis XV.
Especially appealing is the surviving prize label pasted inside the cover from the Institution Fouqué, an educational establishment at 16 rue Marengo, Le Mans. It records the book as a “3e Prix de Lecture” — third prize for reading — awarded to Georges Branchu in the first class, first division, and dated Le Mans, 4 August 1874.
The original presentation label, vibrant binding, illustrated frontispiece, and identifiable publication date make this a particularly attractive example of a French livre de prix.
Era
French, 1869
Second Empire period
Prize inscription dated 1874, early French Third Republic
History
François de Chevert (1695–1769) was a French military officer who served under Louis XV and became particularly noted for his service during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War. His career made him a popular subject for 19th-century educational biographies emphasizing military courage, merit, duty, and advancement through service.
Alfred Mame et Fils of Tours was one of the most important French publishers of the 19th century and became especially well known for lavishly produced religious, historical, juvenile, and prize books. Their livres de prix were frequently issued in highly decorative bindings specifically intended for presentation by schools.
This copy was subsequently awarded in 1874 by the Institution Fouqué in Le Mans as a school prize for reading.
Provenance
Original prize label reading approximately:
“Études Industrielles et Commerciales
Institution Fouqué
Au Mans, rue Marengo, 16
1re Classe — 1re Division
3e Prix de Lecture
Mérité par
Branchu Georges
Le Mans, ce 4 août 1874
Le Directeur, G. Fouqué.”
Awarded to Georges Branchu, Le Mans, France, August 4, 1874.
Sourced in France.
Materials
Paper
Decorated cartonnage-covered boards
Gilt and colored printed decoration
Printed and engraved illustrations
Dimensions
Please add exact dimensions from physical measurement.
Disclaimers / Condition
Antique condition consistent with age and use. Visible rubbing, edge wear, losses and separation along portions of the spine and hinges, as shown. Wear is particularly evident at the corners and along the outer joints.
Interior pages show expected toning, foxing and occasional spotting associated with a 19th-century volume. Prize label remains present and legible. Decorative boards retain strong color and substantial original gilt decoration.
Please review all photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description.
Item: 1869 French Prize Book, Chevert, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roi, in Green & Gilt Cartonnage Binding
Additional Description
A wonderfully decorative 19th-century French school prize book, Chevert, Lieutenant Général des Armées du Roi, by Fr. Joubert, published in Tours by Alfred Mame et Fils in 1869.
The book retains its original richly decorated green, cream and gilt cartonnage binding, with elaborate architectural and foliate ornament throughout. The front board centers a charming chromolithographic scene of three young men seated around a table, while the reverse is decorated with an ornate symmetrical cartouche incorporating a cross motif. The spine continues the green-and-gold decoration.
Inside is an engraved frontispiece illustrating an episode from the life of François de Chevert, the celebrated 18th-century French general. The title page identifies the work as a biography of Chevert, who rose from comparatively modest origins to become a lieutenant general in the armies of Louis XV.
Especially appealing is the surviving prize label pasted inside the cover from the Institution Fouqué, an educational establishment at 16 rue Marengo, Le Mans. It records the book as a “3e Prix de Lecture” — third prize for reading — awarded to Georges Branchu in the first class, first division, and dated Le Mans, 4 August 1874.
The original presentation label, vibrant binding, illustrated frontispiece, and identifiable publication date make this a particularly attractive example of a French livre de prix.
Era
French, 1869
Second Empire period
Prize inscription dated 1874, early French Third Republic
History
François de Chevert (1695–1769) was a French military officer who served under Louis XV and became particularly noted for his service during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War. His career made him a popular subject for 19th-century educational biographies emphasizing military courage, merit, duty, and advancement through service.
Alfred Mame et Fils of Tours was one of the most important French publishers of the 19th century and became especially well known for lavishly produced religious, historical, juvenile, and prize books. Their livres de prix were frequently issued in highly decorative bindings specifically intended for presentation by schools.
This copy was subsequently awarded in 1874 by the Institution Fouqué in Le Mans as a school prize for reading.
Provenance
Original prize label reading approximately:
“Études Industrielles et Commerciales
Institution Fouqué
Au Mans, rue Marengo, 16
1re Classe — 1re Division
3e Prix de Lecture
Mérité par
Branchu Georges
Le Mans, ce 4 août 1874
Le Directeur, G. Fouqué.”
Awarded to Georges Branchu, Le Mans, France, August 4, 1874.
Sourced in France.
Materials
Paper
Decorated cartonnage-covered boards
Gilt and colored printed decoration
Printed and engraved illustrations
Dimensions
Please add exact dimensions from physical measurement.
Disclaimers / Condition
Antique condition consistent with age and use. Visible rubbing, edge wear, losses and separation along portions of the spine and hinges, as shown. Wear is particularly evident at the corners and along the outer joints.
Interior pages show expected toning, foxing and occasional spotting associated with a 19th-century volume. Prize label remains present and legible. Decorative boards retain strong color and substantial original gilt decoration.
Please review all photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description.