Edouard Fournier — Histoire Des Enseignes de Paris

Paris, E. Dentu , 1884. First edition. Paperback. The first edition of Edouard Fournier"s last work, The History of Signs of Paris, an insightful history from the iconic French city. The first edition of Histoire de Enseignes de Paris (History of Signs of Paris) by French playwright and historian Edouard Fournier. Published by E. Dentu in 1884. In the publisher"s original paper wraps, with a frontispiece illustrated by French painter and son of the author Louis-Edouard Fournier. Also contains a folding map of Paris, and eighty-eight in-text illustrations. Collated complete. Completed after his death, Histoire de Enseignes was Fournier"s last work and was thought to be favourite project of his. The book is dedicated to Fournier"s widow and details the various shop signs seen across the iconic French capital, from wine merchants to apothecaries, and signs from antiquity, to those from present day. Not only is it a charming work, but it is the first comprehensive attempt to record a history of signs in scholarship. In the publisher"s original paper wraps. Externally, smart. A slight crease across the front wrapper, and the occasional smudged mark. Slight shelf wear to the extremities, with signs of creasing to the spine. End papers are generally bright and clean, with very faint spotting to rear end papers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with the occasional small mark to leaf extremities. Very Good . Ill.: Louis-Edouard Fournier. Very Good .