Raymond Lécuyer, Paul-Émile Cadilhac et Robert Coiplet - Demeures inspirées et sites romanesques - 1949-1958

Magnificent and monumental set of 3 volumes of the famous literary, historical, and geographical fresco “Demeures inspirées et sites romanesques,” published in Paris by Éditions de L'Illustration (S.N.E.P.) between 1949 and 1958.

This lot includes:

• Volume I (1949): Directed by R. Lécuyer and P.-E. Cadilhac. Exploration of the places of life and inspiration of the great French writers (from Ronsard to Chateaubriand, Hugo, Balzac, ...).

• Volume II (1953): Directed by P.-E. Cadilhac and R. Coiplet. Continuation of the journey through the patrimony (Grégoire of Tours, Calvin, Racine, Montesquieu, ...).

• Volume III (1958): Directed by P.-E. Cadilhac and R. Coiplet. A richly Impressionist-leaning volume, including a superb reproduction of Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” as well as studies on Sacha Guitry, Colette, or Zola.

Characteristics and condition:
Large-format In-Folio (39 x 29 cm), publisher’s rigid cloth bindings in full ochre cloth with embossing, in very good overall condition. The interiors are remarkably fresh, the edges show light foxing, quite normal for the period. Note on Volume II: a small, pale damp stain on the edge of the first two white endpapers, quite minor. A superb reference edition on French literary heritage, very richly documented.