Memorabilia collection - Very rare micro-book leporello "Versailles" in silvered metal, 1910s
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Rare early 20th‑century micro‑book leporello in silvered metal with gilt details, circa 1900–1920, featuring a Versailles theme and vintage paper inserts.
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Description from the seller
Let yourself be enchanted by a jewel from another era: a micro-book leporello (accordion-style) from the period, a masterpiece of micro-publishing and metallurgical craftsmanship from the early 20th century.
This extraordinary object unites the art of miniature bookbinding with the timeless charm of the Palace of Versailles. A showroom piece of rare availability, perfect for enriching Wunderkammer collections, virtù objects, or French historical memorabilia.
Made in silvered metal with splendid patinas and gilded details, it faithfully reproduces a Baroque binding. It dominates the heraldic emblem of the city of Versailles, crowned by a three-towered fortress crown and finished with the raised inscription "VERSAILLES".
The back is decorated with foliate volute motifs and geometric engravings. In the center, a finely chiseled shield encloses a ship, an ancient symbol of Paris, testimony to the historical connection. At the bottom, the precious signature of craftsmanship: "MADE IN FRANCE".
The Back is superbly worked with faux nerves and four gilded rosettes. It features two small through-holes that originally allowed it to be inserted on a pocket chain (chatelaine) or as a pendant.
Upon opening the snap closure, a leporello ribbon unfurls printed on antique high-definition color paper. A sequence of wonderful color views, animated and sharp, of the most iconic places of the palace, each with the title in French: Façade du Palais, La Grille d'Honneur, Le Parterre d'Eau, Le Bassin de Latone, Maison de la Reine, Le Temple de l'Amour, La Chapelle, Le Petit Trianon.
Technical Sheet:
• Object: Micro photographic leporello, virtù object
• Theme: Palace of Versailles, France
• Era: Circa 1900 - 1920 (Belle Époque / early Art Déco period)
• Material: Silvered metal, gold details, interior on color-printed antique paper.
• Manufacture: Original French (Made in France stamped on the back)
• Languages inside: French, English, German
• Condition: Vintage. The mechanical structure (hinge and snap closure) is functioning. The time patina on the metal gives the object an irresistibly authentic character. The interior leporello ribbon is intact, the colors are vivid, and the paper joints are perfectly stable (minimal signs of era wear altogether negligible).
Metal micro-books linked to the early 1900s are Extremely sought after on the international market. Finding one preserved in these conditions, complete with all internal paper views intact and un torn, is a true rarity!
Seller's Story
Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects.
Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep:
• A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco.
We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths.
• Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design.
• We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves.
• Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally.
This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector.
• Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction.
• Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood.
We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost.
Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust.
Happy bidding!
Translated by Google TranslateLet yourself be enchanted by a jewel from another era: a micro-book leporello (accordion-style) from the period, a masterpiece of micro-publishing and metallurgical craftsmanship from the early 20th century.
This extraordinary object unites the art of miniature bookbinding with the timeless charm of the Palace of Versailles. A showroom piece of rare availability, perfect for enriching Wunderkammer collections, virtù objects, or French historical memorabilia.
Made in silvered metal with splendid patinas and gilded details, it faithfully reproduces a Baroque binding. It dominates the heraldic emblem of the city of Versailles, crowned by a three-towered fortress crown and finished with the raised inscription "VERSAILLES".
The back is decorated with foliate volute motifs and geometric engravings. In the center, a finely chiseled shield encloses a ship, an ancient symbol of Paris, testimony to the historical connection. At the bottom, the precious signature of craftsmanship: "MADE IN FRANCE".
The Back is superbly worked with faux nerves and four gilded rosettes. It features two small through-holes that originally allowed it to be inserted on a pocket chain (chatelaine) or as a pendant.
Upon opening the snap closure, a leporello ribbon unfurls printed on antique high-definition color paper. A sequence of wonderful color views, animated and sharp, of the most iconic places of the palace, each with the title in French: Façade du Palais, La Grille d'Honneur, Le Parterre d'Eau, Le Bassin de Latone, Maison de la Reine, Le Temple de l'Amour, La Chapelle, Le Petit Trianon.
Technical Sheet:
• Object: Micro photographic leporello, virtù object
• Theme: Palace of Versailles, France
• Era: Circa 1900 - 1920 (Belle Époque / early Art Déco period)
• Material: Silvered metal, gold details, interior on color-printed antique paper.
• Manufacture: Original French (Made in France stamped on the back)
• Languages inside: French, English, German
• Condition: Vintage. The mechanical structure (hinge and snap closure) is functioning. The time patina on the metal gives the object an irresistibly authentic character. The interior leporello ribbon is intact, the colors are vivid, and the paper joints are perfectly stable (minimal signs of era wear altogether negligible).
Metal micro-books linked to the early 1900s are Extremely sought after on the international market. Finding one preserved in these conditions, complete with all internal paper views intact and un torn, is a true rarity!
Seller's Story
Welcome to our Catawiki store. Our journey in online sales began back in 2004, driven by a clear vision: creating online auctions dedicated to high-value objects.
Today, more than twenty years later, we carry forward that exact same vision. We are proud to have remained a small, family-run business, yet operating with the solidity and scale of major industry professionals: each year, we welcome more than 100 new clients, purchase over 150 lots, and select between 3,000 and 5,000 unique items to offer you.
Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from the initial find to the final delivery to your doorstep:
• A Purchase with Social Value: Buying from us means securing a great deal while actively supporting the future of young Italian students. We collaborate closely with 3 graphic design and advertising schools in Milan, Bergamo, and Lecco.
We invest our time and expertise to teach these students the secrets of online sales, professional photography, and marketing. By choosing us, you are tangibly contributing to their education and career paths.
• Field Research and Discovery: For years, we have been personally scouting the most remote locations across Lombardy to find unique pieces, rarities, oddities, and mid-century modern design.
• We Invest Our Own Capital: We do not sell on consignment. We invest our own capital upfront to purchase and restore every single item, taking on all the risks ourselves.
• Direct Dealings with No Intermediaries: We manage every single price personally.
This allows us to eliminate third-party costs and ensure you get the best possible profit margin as a buyer or collector.
• Meticulous Restoration and Quality Control: We get our hands dirty. Every item is carefully restored and verified with an obsessive eye for detail before going up for auction.
• Secure and Eco-Friendly Shipping: To prevent inflated shipping costs and ensure indestructible packaging, my wife and I head out almost every evening, often at unusual hours, to collect heavy-duty industrial cardboard from businesses in our neighborhood.
We hand-select only pre-evaluated, ultra-resistant materials to offer you maximum protection at the lowest possible cost.
Choosing our lots means relying on the historic expertise of a family that has lived this passion since 2004, while investing in the next generation. Our schools and students thank you deeply for your trust.
Happy bidding!
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Number of objects
1
Type
Very rare micro-book leporello "Versailles" in silvered metal, 1910s
Country of origin
France
Condition
Good
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