A wonderfully atmospheric two-volume French antiquarian set, approaching 200 years old, comprising La France Historique, Industrielle et Pittoresque de la Jeunesse by Samuel-Henry Berthoud (1804–1891).

Published in Paris by Auguste Desrez, Volume I dates to 1835 and Volume II to 1836. The Bibliothèque nationale de France records the work as a two-volume illustrated publication of 431 and 380 pages respectively.

Written as an educational and entertaining portrait of France for younger readers and families, the work explores the country’s history, geography, industry, notable people, landscapes and regional life.

Particularly charming are the numerous 19th-century black-and-white engraved illustrations throughout, depicting historical figures, costumes, buildings, landscapes and scenes from French history.

Volume I also retains its impressive folding engraved map of France, showing the country and its departments in remarkable period detail. Contemporary advertising described the work as being issued with illustrations, confirming that its pictorial content was an important part of the original publication.

The volumes retain their attractive original-style half-leather bindings, with marbled paper-covered boards and gilt-decorated leather spines lettered France de la Jeunesse and numbered 1 and 2.

Condition: These are genuine antiquarian books and show considerable evidence of their nearly two centuries of life. The bindings are heavily rubbed and worn, with losses and deterioration particularly to the leather at the heads of the spines. There is age-related foxing, staining, marking, creasing and occasional tears internally, including wear to the folding map. Please study the photographs carefully. Despite this, the pair remain enormously decorative and characterful, with the gilt spine lettering still visible and a wealth of fascinating period illustrations within.

Dimensions: approximately 17 × 12.5 × 3 cm each.

Author: Samuel-Henry Berthoud

Publisher: Auguste Desrez, Paris

Dates: 1835 & 1836

Volumes: Complete two-volume set

Language: French

Illustrated: Yes, including folding map of France

A beautiful survivor from Louis-Philippe’s France, ideal for a collector of early French books, maps and engravings, or simply as a wonderfully decorative pair for an antique interior.

A genuine 1830s French set — not later reproductions.