Ernest Renan / ‎Bellery-Desfontaines ; Eugène Froment - Prière sur l'Acropole‎ [reliure à la grecque de Affolter] - 1899

Magnificent work, one of the most beautiful editions of Pelletan, illustrated with fine engravings and ornaments by Bellery-Desfontaines in black and red.

First edition of the illustrations by Henri Bellery-Desfontaines, engraved on wood by Eugène Froment.

Limited to a small number: 440 copies, of which 400 are numbered in Arabic numerals and 40 are presented in Roman numerals. This one, among the 400, bears the number 130, printed on Vélin du Marais and enriched with a separate suite, on Chine, of the illustration.

Lilac half-maroquin with corners, smooth spine decorated with two vertical gold Greek keys, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (binding signed by Affolter).

Condition: binding in excellent condition, rare scuffs at the tips of the heads and upper corners. Interior impeccable, entirely untrimmed.

Beautifully esteemed publication, designed with an antique note, of the most pleasing effect. The illustrator, of great talent, was particularly inspired, and the excellent engraver deserves all praise. It is, moreover, one of the finest publications of this publisher.

Prayer on the Acropolis by Ernest Renan actually constitutes chapter II of his Memories of childhood and youth, published in 1883. Renan discusses his discovery of Greece during a trip in 1865.

Ernest Renan / Bellery-Desfontaines; Eugène Froment
Prayer on the Acropolis [Grecian-style binding by Affolter]
Paris. Edouard Pelletan, 1899
Large octavo (27 x 20 cm); 40 pages plus one leaf.

Subject: Luxury edition of Ernest Renan Acropole, first printing, Bellery-Desfontaines - Eugène Froment number. Greek-style binding by Affolter.