1860 French *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle* by Paul Jouhanneaud — Ornate Turquoise and Gilt Romantic Cartonnage Binding, Illustrated, Martial Ardant Frères
1860 French *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle* by Paul Jouhanneaud — Ornate Turquoise and Gilt Romantic Cartonnage Binding, Illustrated, Martial Ardant Frères
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Item Title: 1860 French *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle* by Paul Jouhanneaud — Ornate Turquoise & Gilt Romantic Cartonnage Binding, Illustrated, Martial Ardant Frères
### Additional Description
A beautiful and richly decorated 19th-century French religious biography, *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle* (*Life of the Venerable J.-B. de La Salle*), written by Paul Jouhanneaud and published in Limoges, France, by Martial Ardant Frères in 1860.
This charming volume is especially distinguished by its elaborate original-style Romantic cartonnage binding, featuring an ivory-cream embossed surface adorned with intricate turquoise-blue and metallic gold ornamentation.
The front cover displays an extraordinary arrangement of scrolling Rococo-inspired foliage, architectural cartouches, delicate geometric patterns, and decorative corner flourishes. At its center is a shaped pictorial medallion containing a finely detailed illustration of a religious teacher presenting a book or instructional material to a young boy, accompanied by additional figures in a domestic interior.
The illustration is subtly hand-colored or color-printed in shades of blue, ochre, muted green, and warm gray, creating a beautiful contrast against the surrounding gilt and turquoise ornamentation.
The spine continues the coordinated decorative scheme, featuring elaborate floral and foliate motifs framing the abbreviated title and author's name.
The reverse cover is equally beautiful, displaying a symmetrical arrangement of ornamental scrollwork, stylized foliage, and geometric decorative fields in the same elegant turquoise and gold palette.
Inside, the volume opens to a finely engraved frontispiece illustrating Jean-Baptiste de La Salle surrounded by children and figures associated with his educational mission. The illustration is framed by an elaborate engraved ornamental border.
The title page identifies the work as *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle, Fondateur des Écoles Chrétiennes*, written for young readers and particularly for the schools of the Christian Brothers.
The biography recounts the life, religious vocation, educational philosophy, and charitable accomplishments of Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, whose pioneering work helped establish a lasting tradition of Christian education in France and beyond.
A particularly attractive example of French mid-19th-century religious publishing, combining the historical significance of its subject with the exquisite decorative artistry of Romantic-era bookbinding.
An especially lovely addition to a collection of antique French books, religious literature, educational history, or decorative Victorian-era bindings.
### Era
**Date:** 1860 — confirmed by the title page.
**Period:** French Second Empire, during the reign of Napoleon III.
**Binding style:** French Romantic cartonnage (*cartonnage romantique*), with polychrome decoration and pictorial medallion.
**Place of publication:** Limoges, France.
**Publisher:** Martial Ardant Frères, Rue de la Terrasse.
**Author:** Paul Jouhanneaud.
**Language:** French.
**Title:** *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle, Fondateur des Écoles Chrétiennes.*
**Edition:** An 1860 printing; edition statement and printing sequence have not been established.
### History
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651–1719) was a French priest, educator, and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commonly known as the Christian Brothers.
Born in Reims, France, La Salle devoted much of his life to expanding educational opportunities, particularly for children from families with limited financial means.
His work introduced important innovations in classroom organization, teacher preparation, and the provision of accessible education.
He helped establish a system of schools in which education was conducted in the vernacular rather than exclusively in Latin, making instruction more accessible to ordinary French children.
His educational and religious legacy continued to grow long after his death, and he was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1900.
This volume was published in 1860, approximately four decades before his canonization, explaining the use of the honorific *Vénérable* rather than *Saint* in its title.
The book was written by Paul Jouhanneaud, identified on the title page as an honorary canon and director of *L'Œuvre des Bons Livres*. Its intended audience was young readers, especially pupils attending schools operated by the Christian Brothers.
The volume is also an attractive example of the French *cartonnage romantique* tradition, which flourished during the middle decades of the 19th century.
Publishers such as Martial Ardant Frères of Limoges, Mame of Tours, and Barbou of Limoges produced lavishly decorated books for children, religious instruction, and educational prize-giving.
These bindings frequently incorporated embossed boards, elaborate gold and colored decoration, and central pictorial medallions, transforming comparatively modest printed volumes into visually splendid presentation objects.
The decorative binding of this example reflects the artistic and commercial ambitions of French publishers during the Second Empire, when finely ornamented books were admired as both literary works and handsome domestic possessions.
### Provenance
Private collection.
Published in Limoges, France, by Martial Ardant Frères in 1860.
No identifiable ownership inscription, school prize label, bookplate, or library stamp has been documented in the supplied photographs.
Earlier ownership history is unknown.
### Materials
- Printed paper leaves
- Decorated paper or cloth-covered publisher's boards, with an embossed surface
- Cream-colored binding with turquoise-blue and metallic gold ornamentation
- Raised or embossed decorative cover patterns
- Central pictorial illustration set within a shaped ornamental medallion
- Coordinating decorated spine and rear board
- Black-and-white engraved frontispiece
- Letterpress-printed French text
- Traditional bound book construction
**Publisher:** Martial Ardant Frères, Limoges, France.
**Binding:** French Romantic polychrome cartonnage.
**Publication date:** 1860.
### Dimensions
Exact measurements to be confirmed.
A small-format, hand-held volume, consistent with the compact French religious and educational books published during the mid-19th century.
Please confirm height, width, spine thickness, and total page count before publication.
### Condition / Disclaimers
The book retains its exceptionally attractive turquoise, cream, and gilt decorative binding, with the principal ornamentation remaining well defined and visually striking.
The front cover displays attractive color and gilding, with minor age-related rubbing, surface marks, and localized discoloration.
The pictorial medallion remains legible and colorful, although light surface wear and fading are visible.
The spine shows more pronounced age-related wear, particularly along the upper and lower extremities, with rubbing, fraying, and small areas of covering loss. The spine decoration and lettering remain substantially visible.
The corners and board edges exhibit wear consistent with handling and more than 160 years of age.
The rear cover retains its coordinated turquoise and gilt ornamentation, with scattered surface marks, rubbing, and wear to the edges and corners.
The interior pages display characteristic age-related toning and occasional spotting. The engraved frontispiece and title page remain clearly legible.
The binding appears to retain its historic decorative character; however, the hinges, stitching, complete collation, and presence of all original illustrations have not been independently verified.
No significant manuscript annotations or later ownership marks are evident in the photographs supplied.
As an antique book, this volume is offered in its existing condition, with age-related imperfections consistent with its 1860 publication date.
### Value
**Estimated auction / secondary market value:** $25–$60
**Estimated curated retail value:** $65–$125
**Suggested For the Louvre of Antiques asking price: $95**
The principal value lies in the exceptionally attractive Romantic cartonnage binding, its striking turquoise-and-gold decorative scheme, and the documented 1860 French publication date.
The religious and educational subject adds historical interest, particularly for collectors of French Catholic literature and the history of teaching.
The spine wear and currently unverified completeness modestly limit its value, while the surviving decorative covers make it a particularly appealing display piece.
Item Title: 1860 French *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle* by Paul Jouhanneaud — Ornate Turquoise & Gilt Romantic Cartonnage Binding, Illustrated, Martial Ardant Frères
### Additional Description
A beautiful and richly decorated 19th-century French religious biography, *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle* (*Life of the Venerable J.-B. de La Salle*), written by Paul Jouhanneaud and published in Limoges, France, by Martial Ardant Frères in 1860.
This charming volume is especially distinguished by its elaborate original-style Romantic cartonnage binding, featuring an ivory-cream embossed surface adorned with intricate turquoise-blue and metallic gold ornamentation.
The front cover displays an extraordinary arrangement of scrolling Rococo-inspired foliage, architectural cartouches, delicate geometric patterns, and decorative corner flourishes. At its center is a shaped pictorial medallion containing a finely detailed illustration of a religious teacher presenting a book or instructional material to a young boy, accompanied by additional figures in a domestic interior.
The illustration is subtly hand-colored or color-printed in shades of blue, ochre, muted green, and warm gray, creating a beautiful contrast against the surrounding gilt and turquoise ornamentation.
The spine continues the coordinated decorative scheme, featuring elaborate floral and foliate motifs framing the abbreviated title and author's name.
The reverse cover is equally beautiful, displaying a symmetrical arrangement of ornamental scrollwork, stylized foliage, and geometric decorative fields in the same elegant turquoise and gold palette.
Inside, the volume opens to a finely engraved frontispiece illustrating Jean-Baptiste de La Salle surrounded by children and figures associated with his educational mission. The illustration is framed by an elaborate engraved ornamental border.
The title page identifies the work as *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle, Fondateur des Écoles Chrétiennes*, written for young readers and particularly for the schools of the Christian Brothers.
The biography recounts the life, religious vocation, educational philosophy, and charitable accomplishments of Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, whose pioneering work helped establish a lasting tradition of Christian education in France and beyond.
A particularly attractive example of French mid-19th-century religious publishing, combining the historical significance of its subject with the exquisite decorative artistry of Romantic-era bookbinding.
An especially lovely addition to a collection of antique French books, religious literature, educational history, or decorative Victorian-era bindings.
### Era
**Date:** 1860 — confirmed by the title page.
**Period:** French Second Empire, during the reign of Napoleon III.
**Binding style:** French Romantic cartonnage (*cartonnage romantique*), with polychrome decoration and pictorial medallion.
**Place of publication:** Limoges, France.
**Publisher:** Martial Ardant Frères, Rue de la Terrasse.
**Author:** Paul Jouhanneaud.
**Language:** French.
**Title:** *Vie du Vénérable J.-B. de La Salle, Fondateur des Écoles Chrétiennes.*
**Edition:** An 1860 printing; edition statement and printing sequence have not been established.
### History
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651–1719) was a French priest, educator, and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commonly known as the Christian Brothers.
Born in Reims, France, La Salle devoted much of his life to expanding educational opportunities, particularly for children from families with limited financial means.
His work introduced important innovations in classroom organization, teacher preparation, and the provision of accessible education.
He helped establish a system of schools in which education was conducted in the vernacular rather than exclusively in Latin, making instruction more accessible to ordinary French children.
His educational and religious legacy continued to grow long after his death, and he was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1900.
This volume was published in 1860, approximately four decades before his canonization, explaining the use of the honorific *Vénérable* rather than *Saint* in its title.
The book was written by Paul Jouhanneaud, identified on the title page as an honorary canon and director of *L'Œuvre des Bons Livres*. Its intended audience was young readers, especially pupils attending schools operated by the Christian Brothers.
The volume is also an attractive example of the French *cartonnage romantique* tradition, which flourished during the middle decades of the 19th century.
Publishers such as Martial Ardant Frères of Limoges, Mame of Tours, and Barbou of Limoges produced lavishly decorated books for children, religious instruction, and educational prize-giving.
These bindings frequently incorporated embossed boards, elaborate gold and colored decoration, and central pictorial medallions, transforming comparatively modest printed volumes into visually splendid presentation objects.
The decorative binding of this example reflects the artistic and commercial ambitions of French publishers during the Second Empire, when finely ornamented books were admired as both literary works and handsome domestic possessions.
### Provenance
Private collection.
Published in Limoges, France, by Martial Ardant Frères in 1860.
No identifiable ownership inscription, school prize label, bookplate, or library stamp has been documented in the supplied photographs.
Earlier ownership history is unknown.
### Materials
- Printed paper leaves
- Decorated paper or cloth-covered publisher's boards, with an embossed surface
- Cream-colored binding with turquoise-blue and metallic gold ornamentation
- Raised or embossed decorative cover patterns
- Central pictorial illustration set within a shaped ornamental medallion
- Coordinating decorated spine and rear board
- Black-and-white engraved frontispiece
- Letterpress-printed French text
- Traditional bound book construction
**Publisher:** Martial Ardant Frères, Limoges, France.
**Binding:** French Romantic polychrome cartonnage.
**Publication date:** 1860.
### Dimensions
Exact measurements to be confirmed.
A small-format, hand-held volume, consistent with the compact French religious and educational books published during the mid-19th century.
Please confirm height, width, spine thickness, and total page count before publication.
### Condition / Disclaimers
The book retains its exceptionally attractive turquoise, cream, and gilt decorative binding, with the principal ornamentation remaining well defined and visually striking.
The front cover displays attractive color and gilding, with minor age-related rubbing, surface marks, and localized discoloration.
The pictorial medallion remains legible and colorful, although light surface wear and fading are visible.
The spine shows more pronounced age-related wear, particularly along the upper and lower extremities, with rubbing, fraying, and small areas of covering loss. The spine decoration and lettering remain substantially visible.
The corners and board edges exhibit wear consistent with handling and more than 160 years of age.
The rear cover retains its coordinated turquoise and gilt ornamentation, with scattered surface marks, rubbing, and wear to the edges and corners.
The interior pages display characteristic age-related toning and occasional spotting. The engraved frontispiece and title page remain clearly legible.
The binding appears to retain its historic decorative character; however, the hinges, stitching, complete collation, and presence of all original illustrations have not been independently verified.
No significant manuscript annotations or later ownership marks are evident in the photographs supplied.
As an antique book, this volume is offered in its existing condition, with age-related imperfections consistent with its 1860 publication date.
### Value
**Estimated auction / secondary market value:** $25–$60
**Estimated curated retail value:** $65–$125
**Suggested For the Louvre of Antiques asking price: $95**
The principal value lies in the exceptionally attractive Romantic cartonnage binding, its striking turquoise-and-gold decorative scheme, and the documented 1860 French publication date.
The religious and educational subject adds historical interest, particularly for collectors of French Catholic literature and the history of teaching.
The spine wear and currently unverified completeness modestly limit its value, while the surviving decorative covers make it a particularly appealing display piece.