1856 French History Cartonnage Prize Book Bertrand du Guesclin Mame
1856 French History Cartonnage Prize Book Bertrand du Guesclin Mame
Couldn't load pickup availability
A striking 1856 French history book in its original decorated cartonnage binding, this edition of Histoire de Bertrand du Guesclin was published by A. Mame et Cie of Tours, one of the best known French publishers of the nineteenth century. The book tells the story of Bertrand du Guesclin, the famous medieval military commander who became Constable of France and was celebrated for his role in the Hundred Years’ War. For collectors, the immediate draw is the binding itself. The boards are richly decorated in blue, white, and gilt, with a hand-colored portrait vignette set into the front cover, giving the book strong visual appeal on the shelf or in a decorative stack.
This copy was issued in the Bibliothèque des Écoles Chrétiennes series and reflects the kind of handsome prize books awarded in Catholic and educational settings. Inside is a contemporary inscription dated January 1856 noting the book as a reward for good conduct, a detail that adds personality and period charm. The volume also retains its engraved frontispiece and decorative title page, which add to its appeal as both a readable historical work and a decorative nineteenth century object. It is an especially attractive choice for collectors of French bindings, cartonnage books, prize bindings, medieval history, and antique books with strong display value.
Good antique condition overall. The original cartonnage binding is intact and retains strong visual appeal, with the decorated boards holding their color and gilt well. The hand-colored portrait vignette on the front cover remains attractive. Wear is present at the corners, edges, and spine ends, consistent with age and use. The spine shows surface wear and some loss at the headcap, though the title remains legible and the book is structurally sound. Internally, the pages show age toning and scattered foxing typical of mid-nineteenth century French printing. The inscription page has toning and minor wear, including a small corner loss at one leaf. The engraved frontispiece and decorative title are both present. A solid and visually appealing example with honest age wear throughout.
Shipping & Returns
All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of the item. Local pickup is available at the AMD Warehouse.
All sales of antique and vintage items are final due to their unique, one-of-a-kind nature. Illuminé candles and The Collector's Guide may be returned within 14 days of delivery if unopened and in original condition.
If your piece arrives damaged, please photograph the damage immediately (including packaging), contact us within 48 hours at austynmariedesign@gmail.com, and do not discard any packaging.
Important Info About Antique & Vintage
Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.
Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.
We describe the condition of each piece as accurately as possible in the listing. If you have specific questions about a piece before purchasing, please reach out. We are always happy to provide additional photos or details.
Colors may appear slightly different on screen due to monitor settings and photography lighting. We do our best to represent each item accurately.
