Description
A deliciously timeworn French treasure, this antique mottled-calf volume feels like it has lived a dozen lives before finding its way into yours. Bound in richly speckled leather, with a warm, smoky pattern unique to 18th-early 19th-century French bindings. The book is crowned with a gilt-tooled spine: tiny sunbursts, fleur motifs, and elegant compartments that glow softly when the light hits them.
Open the cover and the marbled endpapers steal the show - an inky constellation of blacks, violets, and ochres swirling like a miniature galaxy. These old French marblings were done by hand, each page a tiny piece of bookbinder's art, completely unique.
The interior title, "Petite Biographie Classique," hints at its purpose: a pocket-sized companion of biography and reflection, meant to be carried, consulted, and cherished. A book for the thoughtful traveler, the student of character, the lover of ideas.
Time has softened the leather and kissed the edges, giving the entire piece that irresistible cabinet-de-curiosites allure, the feeling of something discovered in a writer's desk drawer or retrieved from the library of a chateau.
Perfect for styling atop a secretary desk, under a quill, in a reading nook, or in a vignette of antique French curiosities. It adds instant soul and authenticity to any Parisian-inspired space.
A true heirloom object, intimate, storied, and eternally beautiful.
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Perfect for styling atop a secretary desk, under a quill, in a reading nook, or in a vignette of antique French curiosities. It adds instant soul and authenticity to any Parisian-inspired space.
Origin:
France
Materials & Techniques:
Leather
Details:
Country of Origin: France
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Open the cover and the marbled endpapers steal the show - an inky constellation of blacks, violets, and ochres swirling like a miniature galaxy. These old French marblings were done by hand, each page a tiny piece of bookbinder's art, completely unique.
The interior title, "Petite Biographie Classique," hints at its purpose: a pocket-sized companion of biography and reflection, meant to be carried, consulted, and cherished. A book for the thoughtful traveler, the student of character, the lover of ideas.
Time has softened the leather and kissed the edges, giving the entire piece that irresistible cabinet-de-curiosites allure, the feeling of something discovered in a writer's desk drawer or retrieved from the library of a chateau.
Perfect for styling atop a secretary desk, under a quill, in a reading nook, or in a vignette of antique French curiosities. It adds instant soul and authenticity to any Parisian-inspired space.
A true heirloom object, intimate, storied, and eternally beautiful.
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Perfect for styling atop a secretary desk, under a quill, in a reading nook, or in a vignette of antique French curiosities. It adds instant soul and authenticity to any Parisian-inspired space.
Origin:
France
Materials & Techniques:
Leather
Details:
Country of Origin: France
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Condition
Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Perfect for styling atop a secretary desk, under a quill, in a reading nook, or in a vignette of antique French curiosities. It adds instant soul and authenticity to any Parisian-inspired space.
Buyer's Premium
20%
Dimensions
5.5 x 3.3 x 3.3 in
18th-Early 19th Century French Latin History Book - Petite Biographie Classique - Gilt Spine, Marble
Estimate $85-$200
Starting Bid
$40
LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection
Vetted auction houses
Secure, online bidding
Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings
Dedicated support when you need it
November Antiques & Interiors Showcase
New York, NY, United States
New York, NY
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
1973 Grand Illusions by Richard Lawton - Vintage Hollywood Glamour Photography Book (1st Edition, Wi
EDGEWATER PARK, NJ
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
Madame Du Barry - 1941 Miniature Leather-Bound Limited Edition (No. 763) - French Royal History Book
EDGEWATER PARK, NJ
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
Hiram, GA
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
brooklyn, NY
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
Downingtown, PA
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
Oakland, CA
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
Oakland, CA
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
North Port, FL
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
North Port, FL
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
Oakland, CA
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
EDGEWATER PARK, NJ
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
brooklyn, NY
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
brooklyn, NY
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
brooklyn, NY
Chairish Auction House
4.4(30)
TOP






















![First edition of Tom Sawyer, bound in the publisher's original sheep: TWAIN, MARK [CLEMENS, SAMUEL] The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Hartford: The American Publishing Company, 1876. First edition, second printing issue A, printed on laid paper. Publisher's original sheep,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/292/437920/247036308_1_x.jpg?height=280&quality=80&sharpen=true&version=1793985057&width=280)
![A Description of Tangier, an uncommon work: [TRAVEL] A Description of Tangier, the Country and People Adjoyning. London: Printed for Samuel Speed, 1664. First and only edition. Later calf, red gilt spine label. 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.25 cm); 8](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/292/437920/247036170_1_x.jpg?height=280&quality=80&sharpen=true&version=1793985057&width=280)
![[CIVIL WAR] Exceptional CDV Album of the Demerick Marble Family of Hingham, Mass., Featuring: Carte de visite album bound in full embossed dark morocco leather over heavy beveled boards with raised center cartouches, spine titled in gilt "Album", four milk-glass boss protective feet](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/7226/437275/246375508_1_x.jpg?height=280&quality=80&sharpen=true&version=1793450592&width=280)


![Nostradamus: 186. Nostradamus. Les Prophéties. Woodcut portrait on title. [7], 8-64 [i.e. 56] ; 56, [8] leaves. 2 parts in 1 volume. Small 8vo, old gilt-decorated calf; joints split, a few margin tears, etc. Lyon](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1352/434950/243661163_1_x.jpg?height=280&quality=80&sharpen=true&version=1791893380&width=280)





