Le Luth Français. Almanach Lyrique, Dédié aux Dames
Paris: Chez Louis Janet, Libraire, [1821]. 16mo, measuring 4.5 x 3 inches: [2], 128, [4]. Original green pictorial paper boards, all edges gilt, silk pull-tab. Engraved title page (with mezzotint vignette), fully engraved text and musical scores, twelve tissue-guarded hand-colored engraved plates throughout text. Bookplate of “F. Meunié” to front pastedown. Neatly penciled date to title page, lightest rubbing to boards. Housed in lightly rubbed original green card slipcase and custom clamshell box.
Parisian pocket almanac for the year 1821, an exemplary lady’s gift book, providing both music and lyrics for popular songs of the day, illustrated with hand-colored engravings. The collection includes works by several women lyricists and composers: “Moeris” by Sophie Gay, “Veux tu m’aimer” by Madame de Fontry, and “Vous qui priez” and “Isabelle” by Sophie Gail, who had recently died. Miniature bookplate of collector and bibliographer Félix Meunié, author of Bibliographie de quelques almanachs illustrés des XVIIIe et XIXe siècles (Paris, 1906). Text in French. A beautiful copy, in the publisher’s decorative card binding and slipcase.
Price: $300.00