Lewis Wallace; ilustraciones André Michel - Ben-Hur edición especial numerada - 1950

Limited, numbered French edition of Lewis Wallace's Ben-Hur, produced exclusively for members of the Club du Livre Sélectionné. Printed in an edition of 3,000 copies, it is richly illustrated with original engravings in a classical style inspired by biblical and Roman art. It features a luxurious binding with gold foil stamping. A highly sought-after collector's item, ideal for lovers of illustrated books, art editions, and 20th-century bibliophilia.

Ben-Hur – Numbered Deluxe Edition – Club du Livre Sélectionné Lewis Wallace – Exclusive Members Edition – Copy No. 2485

This edition of Ben-Hur is a rare collector's item, printed in Belgium as a private, limited edition intended exclusively for members of the prestigious Club du Livre Sélectionné. It was not available in bookstores, which increases its rarity and appeal to collectors, bibliophiles, and art book enthusiasts.

Highlighted features
Limited edition of 3,000 copies, each numbered.
Copy offered: No. 2485.
Luxury leather binding, with elegant gold stamping on the spine and cover.
Color-illustrated endpapers featuring a scene of the iconic racing car.
Printed with clear typography and generous margins, characteristic of high-end editions.
Several large-format artistic engravings, made with line technique, depicting scenes from Ancient Rome, biblical figures and classical ships.
Careful editorial design, with capital letters and graphic elements inspired by Roman art.

About this edition
The Club du Livre Sélectionné was known for producing carefully curated editions, designed for discerning members who valued artistic quality and exclusivity. This edition of Ben-Hur was conceived as a tribute to the tradition of the collectible illustrated book. The year of publication is approximate, as it was not customary to include it in these types of editions, so it can be assumed to be from the 1950s or 1960s.

The illustrations, clearly created for this edition, combine a classical aesthetic with narrative drama. They depict key moments in history: Roman leaders, prophets, warships, and imperial symbolism. Their style is reminiscent of mid-20th-century French engravers, with a firm, detailed line technique that lends them a timeless quality.

Importance of the book
Ben-Hur, first published in 1880, is one of the most influential historical novels ever written. Its blend of Roman epic and spiritual narrative made it a worldwide success. Illustrated editions like this one were published to celebrate its literary significance and enormous cultural impact, especially after the major film adaptations.

This particular edition stands out for:
Its production is limited.
Its artistic value.
Its state of preservation, as can be seen in the images.
Of interest to collectors of classic literature, graphic art, and luxury bindings.

State
Binding in very good condition, with clean and well-preserved gilt lettering.
Interior with crisp paper and no visible stains.
Well-preserved and impressive illustrations.
Guards and cuts in good condition.