DELON (Charles) — Our Capital, Paris — 1888 - Lot 77

DELON (Charles) — Our Capital, Paris — 1888 DELON (Charles). — Our Capital, Paris. Paris, Georges Maurice, bookseller and publisher, 4 bis, rue du Cherche-Midi, 1888. Large 8vo, blue half-shagreen with corner pieces, covers of blue, black, and gold marbled paper, spine with raised bands decorated with gilt fleurons, title and author’s name in gilt. Contemporary binding. Second edition; the first edition was published in 1885; bibliographic references clearly identify the 1888 edition as the second. A richly illustrated volume featuring black-and-white engravings both within and outside the text, devoted to the history, architecture, and character of Paris. Among the subjects depicted are Notre-Dame, its towers and interior architecture, the Louvre and its various stages of development, as well as monuments, streets, and neighborhoods of the capital. Cataloged copies of this edition contain approximately 393 pages and numerous engravings and maps. Charles Delon’s work offers an interesting insight into the popularization of history and cultural heritage focused on Paris in the late 19th century. The BnF classifies the text under the subject “Paris (France) — History.” A pleasant copy in a decorative binding of the period, whose deep blue color complements the marbled endpapers particularly well. However, the binding shows some clearly visible flaws: the top cap is damaged with a missing section of leather; there is slight rubbing along the raised bands and at the bottom of the spine; and there are a few marks and signs of wear on the covers and corners. The gilt title remains very legible, and the fleurons are well preserved. The interior appears fairly fresh and clean, with a few foxing spots or small, isolated marks. The engravings have good contrast.