1887 French Victorian Illustrated Children's Book, *La Fortune du Pauvre* by François Mussat, Ornate Pink and Gilt Decorative Binding, Alfred Mame et Fils
1887 French Victorian Illustrated Children's Book, *La Fortune du Pauvre* by François Mussat, Ornate Pink and Gilt Decorative Binding, Alfred Mame et Fils
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Additional Description
A wonderfully decorative 19th-century French children's book entitled *La Fortune du Pauvre* (*The Poor Man's Fortune*), written by François Mussat and published in 1887 by Alfred Mame et Fils in Tours, France.
The volume features a striking salmon-pink cloth binding richly embellished with black, green, and gold decoration. The elaborate front cover incorporates symmetrical arrangements of flowering branches, delicate trailing foliage, scrolling Renaissance-inspired ornamentation, and classical mask motifs.
A particularly distinctive feature is the central medallion displaying the publisher's decorative monogram beneath a castle-like architectural emblem, surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and ornamental flourishes.
The lower portion of the cover bears the inscription *Bibliothèque de la Jeunesse* (Library for Young People), identifying the book as part of the publisher's celebrated collection of illustrated literature for younger readers.
The back cover is equally charming, decorated with delicate black and green floral borders surrounding an ornamental central monogram.
The pale spine retains its original gilt lettering reading *La Fortune du Pauvre*, framed by stylized botanical decoration.
Inside, the volume contains charming black-and-white illustrations depicting scenes of 19th-century French domestic and rural life. An illustrated frontispiece depicts a lively gathering surrounding a donkey, showcasing the period's distinctive approach to illustrated children's literature.
A beautiful example of Victorian-era French decorative publishing, particularly desirable for its unusual salmon-pink binding and richly detailed cover ornamentation.
## Era
**1887 — Late 19th Century**
French Victorian period, with decorative influences from the Renaissance Revival and Aesthetic Movement.
The title page is dated MDCCCLXXXVII (1887).
## History
*La Fortune du Pauvre*, translating to *The Poor Man's Fortune*, is a work of French fiction written by François Mussat, a 19th-century French author and former professor of philosophy.
Mussat was born in Coulon, in the Deux-Sèvres department of western France. He later taught philosophy in Tours, where he wrote and published several works of fiction.
His writing frequently drew upon provincial French life, rural communities, and themes of morality, family, and social circumstances.
*La Fortune du Pauvre* was originally published in 1878, making this 1887 edition a later printing of the work.
The volume was published by Alfred Mame et Fils, one of France's most influential publishing houses during the 19th century.
Based in Tours, the Mame publishing firm became particularly well known for its production of illustrated children's literature, religious books, educational publications, and finely decorated gift books.
During the second half of the 19th century, the publisher produced numerous volumes under the *Bibliothèque de la Jeunesse* imprint, offering literary and educational works intended for younger audiences.
These books were frequently issued in colorful decorative bindings designed to appeal to the growing market for children's literature and presentation books.
The present example features an especially attractive publisher's binding, combining salmon-pink cloth with elaborate gilt and multicolored ornamental decoration.
The cover's stylized floral motifs, symmetrical composition, and architectural ornamentation reflect the eclectic decorative tastes of late 19th-century France.
Today, such volumes are collected not only for their literary and historical significance but also as beautiful examples of Victorian-era book design.
## Provenance
**Tours, France, 1887.**
Author: François Mussat
Publisher: Alfred Mame et Fils
Collection: *Bibliothèque de la Jeunesse*
No individual ownership inscription or additional provenance has been identified in the provided photographs.
## Materials
- Salmon-pink cloth-covered boards
- Black, green, and gilt-stamped decorative ornamentation
- Illustrated front and back covers
- Pale cloth spine with gilt lettering and botanical decoration
- Printed paper pages
- Black-and-white engraved or relief-printed illustrations
- Decorative publisher's emblem and monogram
## Dimensions
Dimensions to be confirmed.
## Condition/Disclaimers
Good antique decorative condition with visible wear consistent with age and historical use.
The salmon-pink covers retain their vibrant coloration and elaborate decorative ornamentation, with minor rubbing, surface marks, and scattered areas of discoloration.
The gilt and colored cover decoration remains particularly attractive, with much of the intricate floral and architectural detailing clearly preserved.
The spine exhibits more pronounced age-related wear, including rubbing, discoloration, and visible fraying and losses at the upper and lower extremities. The gilt title remains partially legible.
The corners and board edges show expected rubbing and minor wear.
Interior pages exhibit age-related toning, scattered foxing, and occasional spotting, particularly around the margins and title page.
The illustrated frontispiece remains present, with the printed illustration retaining good definition.
The binding appears intact in the provided photographs, although the integrity of all internal gatherings and completeness of the text have not been independently verified.
As with all antique books, minor imperfections and signs of age contribute to the volume's historical character.
## Value
**Estimated Antique Retail Value: $45–$95 USD**
**Suggested Retail Listing Price: $75 USD**
The book's beautifully decorated salmon-pink binding, multicolored gilt ornamentation, identifiable 1887 publication date, and association with the renowned Alfred Mame publishing house contribute to its desirability.
Particularly appealing to collectors of Victorian children's literature, French decorative bookbindings, and antique illustrated books.
Additional Description
A wonderfully decorative 19th-century French children's book entitled *La Fortune du Pauvre* (*The Poor Man's Fortune*), written by François Mussat and published in 1887 by Alfred Mame et Fils in Tours, France.
The volume features a striking salmon-pink cloth binding richly embellished with black, green, and gold decoration. The elaborate front cover incorporates symmetrical arrangements of flowering branches, delicate trailing foliage, scrolling Renaissance-inspired ornamentation, and classical mask motifs.
A particularly distinctive feature is the central medallion displaying the publisher's decorative monogram beneath a castle-like architectural emblem, surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and ornamental flourishes.
The lower portion of the cover bears the inscription *Bibliothèque de la Jeunesse* (Library for Young People), identifying the book as part of the publisher's celebrated collection of illustrated literature for younger readers.
The back cover is equally charming, decorated with delicate black and green floral borders surrounding an ornamental central monogram.
The pale spine retains its original gilt lettering reading *La Fortune du Pauvre*, framed by stylized botanical decoration.
Inside, the volume contains charming black-and-white illustrations depicting scenes of 19th-century French domestic and rural life. An illustrated frontispiece depicts a lively gathering surrounding a donkey, showcasing the period's distinctive approach to illustrated children's literature.
A beautiful example of Victorian-era French decorative publishing, particularly desirable for its unusual salmon-pink binding and richly detailed cover ornamentation.
## Era
**1887 — Late 19th Century**
French Victorian period, with decorative influences from the Renaissance Revival and Aesthetic Movement.
The title page is dated MDCCCLXXXVII (1887).
## History
*La Fortune du Pauvre*, translating to *The Poor Man's Fortune*, is a work of French fiction written by François Mussat, a 19th-century French author and former professor of philosophy.
Mussat was born in Coulon, in the Deux-Sèvres department of western France. He later taught philosophy in Tours, where he wrote and published several works of fiction.
His writing frequently drew upon provincial French life, rural communities, and themes of morality, family, and social circumstances.
*La Fortune du Pauvre* was originally published in 1878, making this 1887 edition a later printing of the work.
The volume was published by Alfred Mame et Fils, one of France's most influential publishing houses during the 19th century.
Based in Tours, the Mame publishing firm became particularly well known for its production of illustrated children's literature, religious books, educational publications, and finely decorated gift books.
During the second half of the 19th century, the publisher produced numerous volumes under the *Bibliothèque de la Jeunesse* imprint, offering literary and educational works intended for younger audiences.
These books were frequently issued in colorful decorative bindings designed to appeal to the growing market for children's literature and presentation books.
The present example features an especially attractive publisher's binding, combining salmon-pink cloth with elaborate gilt and multicolored ornamental decoration.
The cover's stylized floral motifs, symmetrical composition, and architectural ornamentation reflect the eclectic decorative tastes of late 19th-century France.
Today, such volumes are collected not only for their literary and historical significance but also as beautiful examples of Victorian-era book design.
## Provenance
**Tours, France, 1887.**
Author: François Mussat
Publisher: Alfred Mame et Fils
Collection: *Bibliothèque de la Jeunesse*
No individual ownership inscription or additional provenance has been identified in the provided photographs.
## Materials
- Salmon-pink cloth-covered boards
- Black, green, and gilt-stamped decorative ornamentation
- Illustrated front and back covers
- Pale cloth spine with gilt lettering and botanical decoration
- Printed paper pages
- Black-and-white engraved or relief-printed illustrations
- Decorative publisher's emblem and monogram
## Dimensions
Dimensions to be confirmed.
## Condition/Disclaimers
Good antique decorative condition with visible wear consistent with age and historical use.
The salmon-pink covers retain their vibrant coloration and elaborate decorative ornamentation, with minor rubbing, surface marks, and scattered areas of discoloration.
The gilt and colored cover decoration remains particularly attractive, with much of the intricate floral and architectural detailing clearly preserved.
The spine exhibits more pronounced age-related wear, including rubbing, discoloration, and visible fraying and losses at the upper and lower extremities. The gilt title remains partially legible.
The corners and board edges show expected rubbing and minor wear.
Interior pages exhibit age-related toning, scattered foxing, and occasional spotting, particularly around the margins and title page.
The illustrated frontispiece remains present, with the printed illustration retaining good definition.
The binding appears intact in the provided photographs, although the integrity of all internal gatherings and completeness of the text have not been independently verified.
As with all antique books, minor imperfections and signs of age contribute to the volume's historical character.
## Value
**Estimated Antique Retail Value: $45–$95 USD**
**Suggested Retail Listing Price: $75 USD**
The book's beautifully decorated salmon-pink binding, multicolored gilt ornamentation, identifiable 1887 publication date, and association with the renowned Alfred Mame publishing house contribute to its desirability.
Particularly appealing to collectors of Victorian children's literature, French decorative bookbindings, and antique illustrated books.