STERNE, Laurence (1713-1768)

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£ 23 940
Auction dateClassic
13.07.2022 10:30UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
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ID 794505
Lot 222 | STERNE, Laurence (1713-1768)
STERNE, Laurence (1713-1768)

Voyage sentimental. Paris: Bourdin, n.d. [1841-43].

The unique copy entirely printed on silk, made for presentation to Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I of Russia by the printer Ernest Bourdin in a remarkable velvet binding by Trautz Bauzonnet. Bourdin spared no expense to create this extraordinary luxurious copy of his edition of Sterne’ Voyage Sentimental for the Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, however for unknown reasons the book was never presented, remaining in France until it was auctioned in 1876 by Morgan and Fatout as ‘un des plus beaux specimens de l’art français’. The printing on silk of such a large illustrated work was a remarkable achievement. Vicaire VII, 665. Carteret III 568.



4to (255mm. x 162mm). Unique copy entirely printed on silk, special dedication leaf dated 1843, printed in gold, blue, and red within border of foliage and roses, with the Russian double eagle above, 12 full page illustrations and 170 text illustrations by Tony Johannot and Charles Jacque (dedication slightly soiled in lower outer margin). Bound for presentation by Trautz Bauzonnet in dark blue velvet, covers with elaborate silver gilt corner pieces with white and blue enamel and large red glass bosses, upper cover with gilt bronze Russian double eagle with crown enamelled in blue above, sliver gilt jewelled catches with white and blue enamel, matching clasp with fine portrait of Sterne sculpted at centre, spine with scroll-worked silver author label, silver gilt and enamelled bands with putti at head and tail (lower band loose), all edges very finely painted in gold strap-work on a grey-blue ground with panels of roses and vases, silk end-leaves. (Velvet worn in places, torn at tail of spine, upper joint cracked, one red glass boss cracked.) In elaborately gilt dark blue morocco folding box, with yellow velvet lining (lid loose). Provenance: Francis Kettaneh (Book label).





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