Antique French Literary Collection – Three Volumes Uniform Forest Green Half-Leather Bindings c. 1881-1926 - FB04

A striking and highly decorative uniform collection of three classic French literary works spanning the late 19th century to the early Art Deco period, masterfully executed in matching forest green half-leather bindings over artisan hand-marbled boards.

This beautiful set was custom-built by a professional bookbinder for a private collection, bringing together works across separate eras into a single uniform luxury library run. Crucially for collectors of period literature, all three of the volumes in this collection successfully preserve their original publisher's soft paperback wrappers bound securely inside the hardcovers. Opening the volumes reveals spectacular, vibrant "Peacock Pattern" hand-marbled endpapers in a fluid palette of emerald green, seafoam, and deep navy blue, paired with custom sprinkled text block edges.

The collection comprises:

• Pharos l'Égyptien – Guy Boothby (Librairie Félix Juven, Paris, c. 1900-1910). A rare early French illustrated edition of the famous 1899 Victorian Gothic mummy thriller, translated by J.-H. Aubry with period illustrations by Ed. Carrier.
• Le Forçat Secret (1926) – Paul Ballaguy (Calmann-Lévy, Éditeurs, Paris). Retains its original printed tan paperback wrapper bound inside.
• Fidelio (1881) – Charles d'Osson (Calmann-Lévy, Éditeurs, Paris). A beautifully preserved nineteenth-century text block retaining its original printed soft wrappers.
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These books remain beautifully preserved examples of classic Parisian publishing, perfectly suited for dedicated collectors of early fiction, Dark Academia library displays, executive studies, or luxury interior styling project assets.

Condition:

Presented in very good antique condition overall. The forest green leather handles well and exhibits light, honest rubbing to the spine headcaps and raised rules consistent with standard shelf handling across a century of private display. The internal text blocks show a natural, pleasing uniform cream age-toning and standard time-darkening along the upper sprinkled edges. Marbled boards and vibrant internal peacock endpapers remain wonderfully clean and clear.

Please use the photos as part of the condition report.  We are not antiquarian book experts - our antique and vintage books were acquired in France from estate sales. Please feel free to explore your own research and ask questions if desired.

Approx Dimensions: Each volume measures approximately 18 cm x 12 cm (approx. 2.5 cm - 3 cm thick each).