The Masterpieces of French Art Illustrated

Gebbie & Co.. Collectible - Very Good. Philadelphia: Gebbie & Co., 1881 & 1882. Imperial Edition. No additional printings. Volumes 1 & 2. Half-leather elephant folios with black leather and dark brown textured cloth boards. Elaborate gilt titling to front boards, and gilt lettering and four devices each to spine. Five raised bands per spine are also decorated with gilt, and spine tips are decorated with stamped gilt bands. Half-leather sections are outlined in gilt, and all edges gilt. Inconsistent pagination. 100 photogravures and 104 woodcuts total, and beautifully illustrated drop caps throughout. Limited edition, number 276/1000. Volume one is very good, with a two-inch tear to cloth of front board. Front joint cracked near spine tips, and foot of spine is chipped. Rear board lightly soiled and rear leather lightly scuffed. Edges lightly worn, and cornres very gently bumped and frayed. Light foxing throughout, and frontispiece tissue guard creased. Narrow two-inch dampstain to bottom edge of about last 20 pages. Volume 2 is near-fine with very lightly worn spine tips, and corners gently bumped and frayed. Small tear to rear board cloth. Small tear to front free endpaper, and light foxing throughout. The List of Subscribers in volume one indicates that copy 276 was purchased by Ezra H. Ripple, a Pennsylvania businessman, Civil War veteran, and former mayor of Scranton. Inquire if you need further information. ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.