Elie Frébault / A. Humbert - Les Industries du Macadam. Physionomies parisiennes. - 1868

Original, rare edition published in the collection Physionomies Parisiennes, and adorned with four drawings by Albert Humbert.

Charming example bound in a Bradel binding, in half-morocco with long azure blue grains, smooth spine decorated with the title and the date in gilt letters. Covers preserved, without the spine. In very good condition, spine rubbed, headcaps worn, lightly yellowed publisher’s paper, very rare foxing.

Provenance: Bookplate of Paul Lacombe bearing the motto Paris Sans Pair.
Ex-libris by Jacques Renout on the binding.

All lovers of old books have inevitably come across at some point copies of this type of work specific to the 19th century, the physiologies. This literary genre was particularly popular in the mid-19th century when the French edition experienced extraordinary growth due to advances in printing techniques, the relaxation of press laws, and the general rise in education levels. These caricatures of customs, describing the behaviors and characteristics of a social or professional group, accompanied by drawings highlighting supposed distinctive traits—such as those of concierge, notaries, bourgeois, provincials, etc.—enjoyed widespread success.

Elie Frébault / Albert Humbert
The Industries of Macadam... Parisian physiognomies.
Paris, Le Chevalier, 1868
128 pages
in-12 (14 x 9.5 cm)