LE SECRET DU MAGE
Paris: J. Hetzel et Cie. 1890. First Edition. Hardcover. Proto-science fiction novel concerning the discovery of a scientifically advanced society. Like Jules Verne, Grousset was another discovery of publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel. He "collaborated" with Verne on Les Cinq Cent Millions de la Begum (1879), L'Étoile du Sud (1884) and L'Épave du Cynthia (1885), though some scholars believe that these works were based on manuscripts written by Grousset and rewritten by Verne at Hetzel's request. A volume in the Les Romans d’Aventure series. Tall octavo: [iv], 263, [1, blank], [1], [3, blank], [8, ads] pp. with the frontispiece with tissue guard, title page vignette, decorated head and tail piece vignettes, and 22 full-page plates, all wood engravings by Barbant, Delangle, de Leuders, V. Dutertre, Froment, A. Gurman et fils, Hamel, T. Moller, Pannemaker, Peulot, and Rousseau, after illustrations by L Benett. In the publisher's red diagonal fine-ribbed cloth binding, with black and gilt-stamped ruled and ornamental borders and frames, blue and gilt-stamped vertical foliate band, interrupted by titling bands, and basketweave pattern panels, flesh, black, and gilt-stamped vignette of sphinxes, lion, pickaxe, lute, and censer, with decorative titling, and black-stamped band with gilt-stamped titling on the front panel; black and gilt-stamped ruled and ornamental bands, blue and gilt-stamped vertical foliate band, interrupted by titling panel, and basketweave panel, and gilt-stamped compartment and band with titling on the spine; and black-stamped ruled and ornamental borders and bands, and circular ornamental publisher's monogram device on the rear panel. All edges gilt, with slate gray coated endpapers. Some scattered foxing, more so to the prefatory and concluding leaves. The shadow of a small label appears on the front flyleaf. The binding is quite vibrant, with a negligible bit of mottling; otherwise very good. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Very good. Item #80516
Price: $750.00