An exceptional, completely intact piece of late 19th-century French history. This 1892 "Album de l'Orphelinat" (Orphanage Album) was published as a luxury souvenir for a high-society charity gala organized by the Dames de l'Administration des Contributions Directes (The Ladies of the Direct Taxes Administration) in France.
This beautifully preserved volume features a stunning Art Nouveau cover with detailed botanical illustrations of roses and a portrait emblem inscribed with "CARITAS" (Charity).
Inside, the album serves as a high-quality period compilation of prominent French literary works. The pages feature immaculate, crisp period facsimile manuscript poems and signatures from legendary Belle Époque literary figures, including:
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Leconte de Lisle: Master of the Parnassian poetic movement and member of the Académie française (featuring his poem and signature alongside a beautifully rendered shore landscape illustration).
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Maurice Bouchor: Celebrated Symbolist poet and playwright (featuring his signature and handwritten excerpt from his biblical drama Tobie).
Condition: Very good, complete, and entirely intact. The binding remains sturdy with a little give; the internal pages are clean, and the ornate typographic covers show beautiful, authentic period character. A rare find for collectors of rare ephemera, antiquarian books, and French literature. The book measures 11" x 9".
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