Balzac, Honoré de; Wormeley, Katharine Prescott [translator]. The Works of Balzac (34 volumes). Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1900. Centenary Edition. [12326]
Thirty-four volumes in deep red morocco with marbled boards and end papers, spines with six gilt-decorated panels with the author & translator, title, and date in gilt. All top page edges gilt; each volume is 7 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches. Illustrated with photogravure plates by Jules Girardet and Maximilienne Guyon, with letter press tissue guards. Texts are clean and bright. Some of the bindings show wear at the edges and high points, with only one partly cracked joint, that of the front of volume one. An attractive set indeed. Good. Hardcover.
Although a bit "shabby chic" this set presents well and will look great on your shelf.
[PROVENANCE]: The historical background of this set is remarkable. In 1931, an estate auction in the Schenectady, New York area was attended by a local gentleman who purchased several pieces of antique furniture - most notably, a massive cherry bookcase. The bookcase was sold fully loaded, containing this complete 60-volume collection. The set stayed housed in that very bookcase for nearly a century until the gentleman’s estate was recently liquidated. His grandson reached out to us regarding the library, and we proudly purchased the books directly from the family.
