Doré, Gustave (1832-1883) — The Doré Bible Gallery ; Containing One Hundred Superb Illustrations and a Page of Explanatory Letter-Press Facing Each

Philadelphia Henry Altemus The Altemus Edition pp. xi, 100 [plus 100 full-page plates]. Quarto [12" x 10"]. Publisher’s original elaborately decorated cloth over boards, title and decorations in gilt to the spine and front board, circular monogram of Henry Altemus blind-stamped to the centre of the rear board, all edges gilt (somewhat faded). Black-and-white engraved portrait frontispiece of Doré, accompanied by one hundred full-page engraved plates, printed to rectos only, each with a page of explanatory text to the facing verso. Cloth extremities rubbed, gilt titles somewhat faded, spine ends and corners rounded with some light fraying, front hinge tender but holding (revealing mull beneath), one short closed tear (no loss) to the lower-left margin of the frontispiece, ownership inscription, signed and dated in pencil by Gary Essar (please see provenance note), to the ffep, else plates and contents well preserved and the binding sound; very good. A lovely work. Corresponds to OCLC #13633810 which dates this edition to about 1890. ¶ Provenance: From the personal library of the late Gary Essar (1944-2025), noted Canadian art historian and curator.