Le fond du sac, ou recueil de contes en vers et en prose & de pieces fugitives. by Nogaret, François-Félix, et al - 1866

Paris: Leclere (pr. Lyon: Louis Perrin), 1866. 8vo (20 cm, 7.8"). xli, [3], 172, [2] pp.; 12 plts.

Nogaret (1740–1831) was perhaps more noted as France's theatrical censor or as the Freemason responsible for various Masonic hymns than as an author — with one exception, that being his story about an automaton created by a man named Frankenstein, predating Shelley's by almost 30 years. In the present collection (originally published in 1780), he gathers some of his own poems, short stories, and literary essays, including "La Main Chaude," "Délire bachique," and "Bouquet à Jean" along with pieces by other contemporary hands. This is => one of only 30 copies printed on papier de Chine, this example with an extra suite of plates bound in offering a second state of the frontispiece and the eleven headpiece engravings by Duplessis-Bertaux.
    Binding: Contemporary signed blue morocco, covers framed in gilt triple fillets with gilt-stamped arabesque central medallion surrounded by a frame of gilt double fillets with gilt-stamped corner fleurons, spine gilt extra, with gilt dentelles and marbled paper pastedowns; lower edge of front dentelle stamped "Allô" (Paul Charles Allô, 1823–90). All edges gilt. Original slim, tricolor silk bookmarker laid in.
    
    Vicaire, Manuel de l’amateur de livres du XIXe siècle, 201. Binding as above, spine gently sunned, joints and extremities rubbed, area of light discoloration to each cover at joint, back cover with small scuffs; front hinge (inside) tender. Front pastedown with unidentified bookplate reading "Exploranda est veritas" (name effaced); back free endpaper with institutional rubber-stamp and note of proper deaccession. Bookmarker separated and laid in, as above, with offsetting on either side; scattered light foxing. Volume now housed in maroon cloth–covered clamshell case partially lined with marbled paper. => Interesting 19th-century French belles-lettres, beautifully produced, here in a beautifully bound example with the bonus suite of plates.