"Paul et Virginie" by J-H Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (1737-18 - Lot 41

"Paul et Virginie" by J-H Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (1737-1814). Léon Curmer ; éditeur, (Rue Sainte-Anne), 1838. Hardcover, 16.5x26cm. Burgundy half-binding with corners, gilt edges, 5-rib spine. With Paul et Virginie, Léon Curmer became the great Romantic publisher who gave the illustrated novel its letters of nobility. Initially sold in installments, as was customary in the 19th century to spread out the purchase, before being collected in a single volume in 1838. Famous edition illustrated with nearly 450 woodcut vignettes, 29 hors-texte plates printed on Chine and 7 steel-engraved portraits after T. Johannot, Meissonnier, Isabey and P Huet. Not to mention the numerous headbands, frames and ornate lettering, engraved on end wood, which wrap around the airy text. Mottling and foxing.