Paul et Virginie / La Chaumière Indienne — Curmer’s Lavish 1838 Edition
Author: Bernardin de Saint‑Pierre Paris: L. Curmer, 49 rue Richelieu, 1838 Two Works in One Volume | Large 8vo (LVI, 458 pp. + 14 pp. tables)
Perhaps the finest example in the marketplace today of one of the most elaborately illustrated French books of the 19th century—Curmer’s legendary 1838 Paul et Virginie paired with La Chaumière Indienne (Indian Cottage), preceded by Sainte‑Beuve’s critical study of Bernardin de Saint‑Pierre. This copy represents the height of Parisian bookmaking, a production so ambitious that, as bibliographer Jules Brivois notes, it required two years of coordinated work by the finest craftsmen of the period and enormous financial investment. The result was an immediate triumph and remains a landmark of Romantic‑era illustrated publishing.
Illustration & Engraving Suite
This deluxe issue is complete with:
Decorated extra title page (Tissue Guard not captioned)
Six full‑page steel engravings printed on China paper and laid down, with its original captioned tissue guard
Twenty‑nine additional full‑page wood engravings on China paper, likewise, laid down
Nearly 450 in‑text illustrations, vignettes, ornaments, and decorative initials
Portrait of Bernardin de Saint‑Pierre engraved by Pelée after Lafitte - (Tissue Guard not captioned)
Hand‑colored map of Île de France (Île Maurice) engraved by Dyonnet
The artistic direction of the volume is dominated by Tony Johannot, who contributed designs for nearly 200 vignettes, 23 wood‑engraved plates, and five steel‑engraved portraits—his work forming the visual identity of the edition.
Edition Points
This copy corresponds to Curmer’s 49, rue Richelieu issue and exhibits the following bibliographically significant points:
Author portrait without the sphere
“Une bonne femme” vignette on p. 418 not present (as in some copies)
Includes portraits of Mme de La Tour and the Doctor, captions engraved below the image
Sainte‑Beuve’s notice ending with eight lines of text
At the close of the “Gravures sur Acier” table appears the cul‑de‑lampe with medallion portrait of Orvin Smith and engraver’s tools
References: Carteret III, 532–47; Vicar VII, 42; Ray, French Illustration, 226A.
Binding
A stunning period binding in midnight‑blue wavy‑ribbed cloth, featuring:
Blind‑stamped arabesque panels and ruled borders
Gilt‑stamped and gilt‑overstamped decorations to boards
Spine with elaborate gilt floral “tabernacle” design and gilt titling
Signed in the giltwork: “HAARHAUS” (Robert Haarhaus, designer) and “LENEGRE REL.” (Antoine Lenegre, binder)
Yellow coated endpapers
All edges gilt
Condition
A fine, clean and exceptionally well‑preserved example:
Only the slightest softening to the upper spine tip
A few spots to the original yellow coated endpapers
Occasional light foxing, perhaps most noticeable on tissue guards
Provenance
From the library of noted bibliophile Marcel de Merre with his decorated bookplate on the front flyleaf
A Landmark of 19th‑Century French Book Art
Curmer’s Paul et Virginie stands as a pinnacle of Romantic illustration and Parisian craftsmanship—“One of the most extravagantly illustrated French books of the 19th century.” This copy, with its deluxe China‑paper plates, distinguished binding, and excellent condition, is a truly remarkable survival.