- Paris : E. Dentu 1885
- large 8vo.
- turn of the century half leather with five raised bands and marbled paper-covered boards, stiff paper wrappers bound-in
- xvi, (iv), 575+(1) pages
- Order Nr. 74638
- Price: $ 250.00

First edition. (Mejer no.27; Brenni no.282). A collection of 116 photo engravings of the finest examples of French bookbinding produced from the 16th to 19th centuries. Compiled by one of France's most renowned bibliophiles, the reproductions portray works executed with lavish attention to detail by master bookbinders such as Padeloup, Clovis and Nicolas Eve, le Gascon, and Nicolas Derome. In addition, since these works of art belonged to notables such as Jean Grolier, François Ièr, Diane de Poitiers, Louis XIII, Mazarin, and Cosimo de Medicis, to name a few, their value rendered them inaccessible to the scrutiny of most bibliophiles. Therefore, through the precisely reproduced plates in this album, Brunet intended to give bibliophiles the opportunity to acquire a deeper knowledge of the details and artistry of the original bindings and also to appreciate the progress of the art through the centuries. In red, brown, or black-and-white, the plates are from the Bibliophile Français (1808 - 1873). Keyed to the plates is a descriptive table, of which thirty-one more important and distinctive works receive enhanced descriptions. Foreword, introduction and table handsomely printed with wide margins. Booklabel of Miss Ann Ingersoll Meigs who has signed and dated (December 1883) this copy on the half-title. Covers show wear around edges and tips with part of leather chipped away at the bottom of the spine. Has been skillfully rebacked with original leather spine laid down on newer matching leather. Free endpaper partially detached. Ownership inscription in pencil.