A charming and increasingly scarce early 19th-century French volume, Les Soirées du Père de Famille; ou Conversations familières d’un père avec ses enfans, published in Paris by Le Prieur in 1818.

The book is bound in period brown leather with attractive gilt decoration, including a classical border. Internally it contains a number of wonderful full-page engraved illustrations, giving the volume considerable decorative appeal as well as historical interest.

Written in the form of familiar conversations between a father and his children, the book was intended to educate and entertain, covering subjects including morality, history, astronomy and general knowledge — a fascinating glimpse into the education of children in post-Napoleonic France.

Of particular interest is the surviving bookseller’s label:

“Vendu par Renault, Rue Ganterie à Rouen”

This gives the book a lovely additional connection with Rouen in Normandy and suggests it was retailed there in the early 19th century.

The leather binding shows expected age-related wear, rubbing and marking, with further signs of use internally consistent with a book now over 200 years old. These imperfections form part of its genuine antique character. Please study the photographs for condition.

A beautiful decorative French book, particularly appealing for a collection of early French literature, antique bindings, engravings or French interiors.

Date: 1818

Publisher: Le Prieur, Paris

Language: French

Binding: Period leather with gilt decoration

Illustrations: Full-page engraved plates

Provenance: Renault, Rue Ganterie, Rouen bookseller’s label

Dimensions: 17.5 × 11 × 2.5 cm