78/1497 Les Français peints par eux-mêmes. Paris, L. Curmer, 1840-1842, 8 (of 9) vols., 7 (of 8) woodengr. frontisp., double-p. col. lithogr. map, engr. portrait of Napoleon, 404 (of 406) woodengr. plates, num. initials, vignettes and ills. by i.a. GAVARNI, T. JOHANNOT, H. DAUMIER, H. MONNIER, J.J. GRANDVILLE, E. LAMI, E. MEISSONIER, contemp./ sl. later unif. gilt hmor., t.e.g., 4to.

- All vols. bookplate on upper pastedown; sl. foxed/ yellowed (incl. plates); vol. 1 last few lvs. waterst. in blank lower inner corner; vol. 2 lacks frontisp. and 1 plate; vol. 4 lacks 1 plate and a flimsy w. printed legend at the beginning. Vol. 1-5 spine sunned. As often without the so-called "Prisme" volume.

= Comprises: Les Français (5 vols.) and Province (3 vols.), with contributions by i.a. H. de Balzac, J. Janin, C. Nodier, T. Gautier, P. de Kock and G. de Nerval. Very nice plates depicting i.a. a chess player, doctor, sollicitor, mariners, horticulturist, poet, typesetter, booklover, reporter, angler, types in local dress and market salesmen. One vol. mainly on the French army with plates of officers and soldiers. Vicaire III, p.794ff; Carteret III, p.245ff; Brivois 157ff; Colas 1101; Hiler 324; Lipperheide Fc 37/38 and Fe 10; Sander 275.