Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷

$375.00
An old book with a decorative cover featuring swirls and patterns, titled 'Portraits De Grandes Dames'. The book binding appears worn with age.
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
An old book with a decorative cover featuring swirls and patterns, titled 'Portraits De Grandes Dames'. The book binding appears worn with age.
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷
Portraits de Grandes Dames by Imbert de Saint-Amand (RARE New Edition, c. 1897) ✨📜🇫🇷

1. Introduction 📜🔍🤯

 

This is a rare and historically significant "Nouvelle Edition" (New Edition) of Portraits de Grandes Dames by the celebrated French historian Imbert de Saint-Amand. Published in Paris around 1897, this volume is a tangible link to the "Belle Époque" era's fascination with historical biography and its role in bringing the past to life for a popular audience. Its exceptional value lies not only in its scarcity but also in its status as a beautiful example of French bookmaking from the period.

 

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

 

This collection offers engaging biographical sketches of prominent women from French history. Imbert de Saint-Amand skillfully delves into their lives, personalities, and influence within the social, political, and cultural contexts of their respective eras. The book served as a source of both entertainment and education, providing a moral and humanizing look at historical figures. The content embodies the era's appreciation for French history and its tradition of celebrating influential women.

 

3. About the Author 🇫🇷🖋️🏛️

 

Imbert de Saint-Amand (1834-1900) was a French historian celebrated for his ability to make history accessible and engaging through vivid storytelling and a focus on the personal lives and relationships of historical figures. His popular historical biographies significantly contributed to the broader understanding of French history, bringing to life the personalities and events of the past in a captivating manner. His work was highly influential and widely read in France and abroad.


 

 

4. Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

 

The book's publication around 1897 places it in the heart of the "Belle Époque" era in France, a period of optimism, economic prosperity, and cultural flourishing. This was an era of intense fascination with historical biography and a growing interest in the role of women in history. The book's popularity reflects a social trend of looking to the past for inspiration and moral guidance. The aesthetic appeal of this well-bound 19th-century volume also makes it a prime example of the era's appreciation for fine craftsmanship.

 

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

 

This volume is a curated acquisition for a specific class of collector who prizes unique primary sources. The ideal purchaser is a curator of European history, a scholar of French literature, or a bibliophile who appreciates a work with a significant cultural legacy. The book's prior ownership inscription adds a personal touch, which is highly sought after by collectors.

 

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

 

This book represents a unique and non-replicable asset class. From a curatorial and financial perspective, its value is derived from its extraordinary scarcity. This type of historical biography was printed in small runs and has rarely survived in good condition. The importance of this particular edition, which documents a key period of French history, adds to its desirability. This acquisition would be considered a strategic investment in a historically significant, non-correlated asset.

 

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

 

A detailed condition report is not possible without an in-hand examination. However, based on the provided information, the book is in a very good state for its age. The binding is half-leather with marbled boards, and it shows authentic wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some loss of material on the spine and edges. The pages show expected foxing and some discoloration consistent with age, but the text remains clear and readable.

 

8. Translation of Inscriptions ✍️📜🔤

 

This is a complete transcription and translation of the handwritten note found on the front cover, which documents this set’s extraordinary provenance.

  • Inscription: "December 25, 1901"

 

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

 

  • A Primary Source: This book is a primary source for the history of French culture and society in the 19th century.

  • A Scholarly Work: This volume is a testament to the intellectual efforts of French historians.

  • A Timeless Theme: The book's theme of the enduring relevance of women in history is a debate that remains relevant today.

 

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

 

  • Title: Portraits de Grandes Dames

  • Author: Imbert de Saint-Amand

  • Publisher: Librairie Dentu

  • Year: c. 1897

  • Place: Paris, France

  • Format: Hardcover, with half-leather binding and marbled boards

  • Edition: New Edition

  • Rarity: Rare

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