NOUVELLE GÉOGRAPHIE UNIVERSELLE: La Terre et Les Hommes, II: La France
Paris: Hachette et Cie, 1879. First Edition. Hardcover. Second volume in the Nouvelle Géographie universelle (1876-94), Reclus' major work and a landmark moment in geographical writing. Small quarto: [iv], 959, [1, blank], [1], [1, blank], [1], [1, blank] pp. with 9 double-page, 1 full-page, and 1 large folding maps, all steel engravings with color wood engraving; 61 full-page plates and 5 textual illustrations, all wood engravings; 240 textual maps and diagrams, all steel engravings; and 15 full-page charts. In the publisher's red morocco spine over red morocco grain cloth binding designed by Auguste D. Souze, with gilt-stamped ruled borders, black-stamped shield and fleur-de-lis pattern, black and gilt-stamped large central globe and compass rose device on the front and rear panels, and blind-stamped ruled false bands, gilt-stamped rules, ruled compartment with folding measuring stick device, ruled compartment with ornamental corners and dividers, triangle and compass devices and ribbons, band of anchors and ornamental devices, and titling on the spine. All edges gilt, with a bright green silk ribbon marker, and white coated endpapers featuring a blind-stamped ribbed moiré pattern. Occasional light foxing. Holographic presentation page, dated 9 June 1881, preceding the half-title. The binding is clean and bright. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Item #80921
Price: $200.00