Plutarque - Les Vies des Hommes Illustres - 1967

Plutarch - Albert Decaris - Parallel Lives / Les Vies des Hommes Illustres - 1967 - Limited Edition No.231

PLUTARCH – PARALLEL LIVES / LES VIES DES HOMMES ILLUSTRES
Deluxe Bibliophile Edition – Club du Livre – Philippe Lebaud, Paris 1967
Original Engravings by ALBERT DECARIS, Member & Former President of the Académie des Beaux-Arts
Copy No. 231 / Strictly Limited Edition with SUITE VOLUME*l

A rare example of French bibliophile publishing, combining classical text with masterful burin engraving.

Plutarch’s "Parallel Lives" – the foundational work of Western biography. With subtle psychology, Plutarch compares Greek and Roman leaders: Theseus vs Romulus, Solon vs Publicola, Alexander the Great vs Julius Caesar.

This edition uses the historic translation by Jacques Amyot, with a preface by André Maurois of the Académie Française.

The Suite Volume – The Rarity:
Volume 4 contains only the engravings, each protected by its original silk tissue. This separate suite volume is rarely complete and significantly increases collector value.

All plates are by Albert Decaris 1901–1988, master of direct copper engraving "burin". His portraits and architectural scenes show monumental detail and classical precision.

Binding & Specifications:
4 volumes, large in-4 format approx. 30x23cm
3 text volumes with in-text engravings + 1 suite volume of plates
Full red royal leather binding by publisher
Spine with 4 raised bands, geometric blind-stamping, gilt titles
Top edge gilt
Printed on vellum paper
Copy No. CCXXXI / 231

Condition:
Very Good. Text volumes fresh with deeply printed engravings. Bindings solid. Silk tissues intact. Leather with light rubbing to corners and edges, consistent with age. No ex-libris, no missing pages, no dampstains. Complete and coherent set.

Approx. 1000 pages total in 3 text volumes + 50 engraved plates in suite volume

Keywords: Plutarch Plutarque Parallel Lives Decaris Club du Livre Philippe Lebaud bibliophile limited edition suite engravings burin Académie des Beaux-Arts