An exceptional survival for collectors of 18th-century printing and historic decorative papers. This is an authentic 1783 edition of Annales Poétiques, ou Almanach des Muses, Depuis l'origine de la Poésie Françoise (Tome XXV), published in Paris during the reign of King Louis XVI.
What makes this specific copy extraordinary is that it survives in its original, temporary French papier dominoté (domino paper) wrapper.
During the 18th century, French books were rarely sold pre-bound in leather. Instead, they were sold en brochure (stitched with temporary decorative paper covers), leaving the buyer to take the text to a professional bookbinder. Most of these fragile covers were destroyed or discarded when the books were later bound in calfskin or vellum. This copy has defied the odds, preserving its original block-printed floral wrapper intact for over 240 years.
This book is in very good condition. The fragile domino paper wrapper shows authentic, light shelf wear, minor rubbing, and small chips to the spine ends and corners as expected for an unbacked paper wrapper of this age. The colors and block-printed pattern remain remarkably vibrant. The interior is in clean, crisp text block with generous margins. Leaves are tightly stitched. Minor, expected age-toning at the paper edges; free of major foxing, staining, or tearing. It measures 3.75" x 6.25" and has 264 pages.
Item Details:
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Title: Annales Poétiques, Depuis l'origine de la Poésie Françoise (Tome XXV)
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Authors/Compilers: Jean-Baptiste-Christophe Grainville & Francesco Saverio Castiglioni
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Imprint: À Paris, Chez les Éditeurs (rue de la Juffienne) et chez Mérigot le jeune (quai des Augustins)
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Date: 1783 (M. DCC. LXXXIII.)
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Binding: Original 18th-century block-printed domino paper wrappers featuring a dense, repeating floral vine pattern in burgundy and rose/metallic-brushed tones over stitched, untrimmed text block sheets.
- Provenance: Features an early, neat ownership signature at the foot of the title page reading "P. Thélip".
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