{"product_id":"1837-french-children-s-cartonnage-book-les-charmes-de-l-ermitage-by-elise-brun","title":"1837 French Children’s Cartonnage Book, Les Charmes de l’Ermitage by Élise Brun","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully decorative 1837 French children’s book, Les Charmes de l’Ermitage: Historiettes et Nouvelles propres à former le coeur et l’esprit de la jeunesse, written by Mlle Élise Brun and published in Paris by P.-C. Lehuby, Librairie de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book retains an exceptionally pretty pale green publisher’s binding richly decorated in gilt, with elaborate scrolling ornament, floral details, architectural motifs, and a central landscape vignette to the front board. The reverse is similarly decorated with a central floral bouquet surrounded by gilt rococo-style ornament.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInside, the volume includes an engraved decorative title page and engraved illustrations, including a charming frontispiece showing elegantly dressed figures in a wooded setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Morgan Library records this title as having been published in Paris in 1837, with 206 pages and four illustrated plates.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEra\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1837\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEarly Victorian \/ French July Monarchy period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMlle Élise Brun, identified on the title page as an institutrice, or female teacher\/governess.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePublisher\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eP.-C. Lehuby\u003cbr\u003eLibrairie de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse\u003cbr\u003eParis, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA surviving institutional copy held by the Morgan Library is likewise catalogued as the 1837 Paris edition published by P.-C. Lehuby.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistory\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLes Charmes de l’Ermitage belongs to the early 19th-century tradition of moral and educational literature written specifically for young readers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts subtitle translates roughly as:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Little histories and stories suitable for forming the heart and mind of youth.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBooks of this type were intended not merely to entertain children, but to cultivate good manners, morality, sentiment, and character through instructive stories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat makes this example especially appealing is its survival in an unusually decorative binding. The elaborate gilt and colored cover decoration transforms what was originally an educational children’s book into a beautiful example of French Romantic-era book design.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProvenance\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSourced in France.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaterials\u003cbr\u003ePaper\u003cbr\u003ePrinted and engraved illustrations\u003cbr\u003eDecorative publisher’s boards\u003cbr\u003ePale green surface decoration\u003cbr\u003eExtensive gilt embossing and tooling\u003cbr\u003eDimensions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease provide the exact height, width, and thickness and I can insert them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Morgan Library’s copy is catalogued at approximately 15 cm \/ 5.9 inches tall.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGood antique condition considering the book is nearly 190 years old.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe binding shows expected edge and corner wear, rubbing, small losses, and some lifting or deterioration along the spine and joints. The gilt decoration remains remarkably attractive and legible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInterior pages exhibit scattered foxing, toning, and age-related spotting. The engraved illustrations and title pages remain clear and attractive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe binding appears intact overall, although care should be taken when opening due to its age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease review all photographs closely for condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDisclaimers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAntique books may exhibit foxing, toning, staining, loose or weakened hinges, edge wear, inscriptions, minor tears, binding deterioration, and other age-related characteristics. These are consistent with their age and history and should be expected.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49202049777919,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/IMG-8367.png?v=1789341925","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/products\/1837-french-children-s-cartonnage-book-les-charmes-de-l-ermitage-by-elise-brun","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}