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Antique 10-volume Beaux Arts Classics “Salon Edition” set published in Paris by Société des Beaux Arts, likely circa late 19th century. This is a limited edition set, with each volume marked No. 186 of 550 copies for England and America. No date of production is written but from research it’s circa 1890s.
The set includes illustrated editions of classic literary works by authors such as Shakespeare, Gustave Flaubert, Théophile Gautier, Paul Bourget, Claude Larcher, and others. Titles shown include Antony and Cleopatra, Hérodias, A Night of Cleopatra, King Candaules, Pastels, and additional Beaux Arts Classics volumes.
These books are notable for their decorative production:
cloth hardcovers with paper spine labels, deckled / untrimmed page edges, wide margins, tissue-guarded plates, and numerous illustrations throughout. Many volumes include full-page color or tinted plates, smaller in-text illustrations, ornamental chapter art, and printed artist signatures. Illustrators represented include Paul Avril, Georges Rochegrosse, A. Robaudi, and others.
The books appear to be printed on heavy, textured laid-style paper with a fine press / art-book presentation. The bindings are cloth over boards with gilt-style spine decoration and applied printed title labels. This set was produced more as an illustrated collectible literary/art edition than a standard reading copy.
Additional photos are available upon request. Due to listing upload limits, I was not able to include every detailed photo. I have additional close-up photos of the bindings, hinges, pages, tissue guards, and any noted condition issues. The illustrations and artwork are well preserved overall, with condition issues mainly affecting the bindings, covers, page edges, tissue guards, and normal age-related wear. Please feel free to message me if you would like more photos of a specific volume or area before purchasing.
