An exceptional piece of 19th-century French printing and bookbinding history. This 1809 edition of Petit Carême de Massillon (Bishop of Clermont) was printed in Nîmes, France, by J. Gaude during the height of the First French Empire.
Most importantly, this copy survives in its original, untouched papier dominoté (domino paper) temporary cardboard wrapper. Featuring a classic red "papier piqueté" (white dotted) geometric repeat design, this fragile binding was meant to protect the book until a buyer could afford a custom leather binding. Finding these modest, temporary covers completely intact after more than two centuries is incredibly rare.
Product Details:
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Title: Petit Carême de Massillon, Évêque de Clermont
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Author: Jean-Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742)
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Publisher: Chez J. Gaude, Imprimeur-Libraire (Nismes/Nîmes, France)
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Date: 1809
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Binding: Original French Domino Paper Cardboard Wrapper (Couverture d'Attente)
- Language: French
Condition Note: Excellent antique condition given its age. Spine shows authentic rubbing and shelf-wear commensurate with age, but the structural binding remains firm and intact. Interior pages display light, natural age toning and characteristics typical of early 19th-century rag paper. A beautiful, un-restored specimen for collectors of French ephemera or religious history. The book measures 4.5" x 7" and is 288 pages.
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