{"product_id":"1852-french-romantic-cartonnage-book-la-petite-reine-blanche-ou-les-pastoureaux-with-hand-colored-scenic-binding","title":"1852 French Romantic Cartonnage Book, La Petite Reine Blanche ou Les Pastoureaux, with Hand-Colored Scenic Binding","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA particularly beautiful mid-19th-century French decorative book, La Petite Reine Blanche ou Les Pastoureaux, Épisode Historique du XIIIe Siècle, by J.-B.-J. Champagnac, published in Limoges by Barbou Frères in 1852.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe volume is housed in an unusually elaborate original cream, gilt and polychrome cartonnage binding, richly decorated with scrolling rococo-style ornament, flowers, colored accents and a large central landscape vignette. The front board depicts an exoticized romantic landscape with palms, distant architecture and figures in the foreground, framed by pink, gold and floral ornament. The reverse is similarly decorated with floral sprays and gilt architectural framing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe spine is fully ornamented in gilt and color, with floral devices and decorative cartouches. Internally, the book includes engraved illustrations and a decorative illustrated title page.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe title translates approximately as “The Little Queen Blanche, or The Shepherds: A Historical Episode of the 13th Century.” The book belongs to the popular 19th-century French genre of educational and moralizing historical literature for young readers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a particularly strong decorative example because of the large pictorial cover scene, surviving color, gilt ornament and charming romantic imagery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEra\u003cbr\u003eFrench, 1852\u003cbr\u003eSecond Republic \/ early Second Empire period\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistory\u003cbr\u003eJean-Baptiste-Joseph Champagnac was a prolific 19th-century French writer of educational, historical and juvenile literature. Works such as this blended history, morality and romantic storytelling and were often produced in decorative bindings intended to appeal to young readers and gift-book buyers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe subject concerns Blanche of Castile and the Pastoureaux movement of the 13th century, presented through the romanticized lens typical of 19th-century historical literature.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe publisher Barbou Frères of Limoges was active in the production of illustrated, devotional, educational and juvenile books, including highly decorative editions such as this.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProvenance\u003cbr\u003eFrench private collection \/ sourced in France.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo presentation inscription or school-prize label is visible in the photographs provided.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaterials\u003cbr\u003ePaper\u003cbr\u003eDecorated cartonnage-covered boards\u003cbr\u003eGilt decoration\u003cbr\u003ePolychrome printed and\/or hand-finished decoration\u003cbr\u003eEngraved illustrations\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions\u003cbr\u003ePlease add exact dimensions from physical measurement.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDisclaimers \/ Condition\u003cbr\u003eAntique condition consistent with age and use. Visible rubbing, surface wear and discoloration to the binding, particularly at the edges, corners and spine. The decorative boards retain substantial original gilt and color, with age-related fading and scattered losses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInterior pages show moderate to heavy foxing in places, particularly around the title matter, along with expected toning and occasional spotting. Binding appears intact overall from the photographs, though with expected wear associated with a book over 170 years old.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease review all photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49259606704383,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/C6FA0479-F9B6-428C-96ED-128FCA8D7E64.png?v=1789916668","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/products\/1852-french-romantic-cartonnage-book-la-petite-reine-blanche-ou-les-pastoureaux-with-hand-colored-scenic-binding","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}