SAND (George), *Les Beaux Messieurs de Bois-Doré*. - Lot 273

SAND (George), *Les Beaux Messieurs de Bois-Doré*. Illustrations by Adrien Moreau, etched by Boulard, Géry-Bichard, and Vion. Preface by Francisque Sarcey. Paris, Librairie de l'Édition Nationale, Émile Testard, 1892. 2 volumes, large 8vo, elegant period bindings in burgundy half-maroquin with corner pieces, spines with richly decorated and gilt raised bands, gilt heads, covers and spines preserved. A very fine illustrated edition of one of George Sand’s most ambitious historical novels. First published in 1858, *Les Beaux Messieurs de Bois-Doré* transports the reader to France during the reign of Louis XIII and, with rare mastery, blends adventure novel, historical chronicle, romantic intrigue, and a portrayal of provincial customs. The story is set in Berry, a region dear to George Sand, where gentlemen, adventurers, soldiers, actors, and conspirators cross paths. Centered on the figure of the Marquis de Bois-Doré—an aging nobleman who has remained faithful to the ideals of chivalry of old—the author weaves a sweeping romantic tapestry driven by passions, political rivalries, and a wide array of twists and turns. The work ranks among the major achievements of Sand’s historical genre and attests to her extraordinary talent as a storyteller. This remarkable deluxe edition is illustrated by Adrien Moreau, one of the most brilliant illustrators of the late 19th century. His compositions, etched by Boulard, Géry-Bichard, and Vion, delicately capture the atmosphere of the Grand Siècle, the richness of the costumes, and the picturesque quality of the scenes imagined by George Sand. The collection as a whole constitutes one of the most beautiful iconographic interpretations of the novel. Published by Émile Testard in the prestigious collection of the Librairie de l’Édition Nationale, the volume belongs to the generation of great illustrated bibliophile editions that marked the final decades of the 19th century. The print run was limited to large-format paper, as indicated by the colophon printed at the beginning of the volume. A fine copy in a contemporary binding of burgundy half-maroquin with corner pieces, retaining its original covers. The spine is elegantly decorated, with well-preserved gilt lettering. The interior is fresh, with wide margins, and the inset illustrations are in excellent condition. One of the most appealing illustrated editions of a great historical novel by George Sand, combining the typographic quality of the Testard editions, the elegance of Adrien Moreau’s compositions, and a particularly meticulous bibliophile binding.