Madame de Stael — Corinne Ou L&Apos;Italie

Paris, Librairie de Firmin Didot Freres, 1871. Vellum. A vellum bound copy of Madame Germaine de Stael's novel and homage to Italy, 'Corinne', in a smart binding with gauffered fore edge. In a full vellum binding, with gauffered decoration to the fore edge. In the original French. Illustrated with a frontispiece. This work is both a work of fiction and a travelogue, combining the story of a love affair, and Stael's homage to Italy. The plot follows Lord Nevil, as he has to choose between marrying the traditional English woman his dead father wished him to marry, and the Italian poet Corinne whom he is in love with. Written by Madame de Stael. Stael was alive during a tumultuous time in history, as she saw the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era. Germaine was the daughter of Jacques Necker, the finance minister for Louis XVI, who had made decisions that were critical in staring the outbreak of the French Revolution. She was an ardent letter writer, and so she documented the society and events of the time in great detail. Germaine also lived in exile during the Reign of Terror, later coming into opposition with Napoleon. She was known throughout her life for being witty and a brilliant conversationalist, making her well liked, and well despised by those who opposed her. Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto to the front free endpaper, 'Susan C. Porter, Rome&apos. Label to the rear pastedown. In the original vellum binding. Externally, generally smart. Light cracks to the front board. Discolouration to the boards and spine, as is usual with vellum. Boards are a little cocked. Faint pencil drawing to the front board. Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto to the front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are age-toned and clean with the odd spot to the first and last few pages.Textblock from the title page to page 2 is working loose. Good . Ill.: None. Good .