Antique Book Provençal Poets Paul Mariéton Gautier edition vintage 19th century

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

The item presented here is an old book titled "Poètes provençaux contemporains" (Contemporary Provençal Poets), published in the "Nouvelle Bibliothèque Populaire à 10 Cent." (New Popular Library at 10 Cents) collection by Henri Gautier in Paris. The visible cover stands out with its late 19th-century aesthetic, featuring a richly illustrated ornamental frame on a grey-green background, with numerous names of famous authors inscribed on the left border (Sophocles, Shakespeare, Molière, Goethe, Dante, A. Chénier, Lacordaire, Lamartine, Ch. Nodier, Tolstoy). The central title announces an anthology of contemporary Provençal poets, including Roumanille, Aubanel, Mistral, with a study on Provençal poetry by Paul Mariéton.

The cover page, though patinated by time, retains its original motifs and displays elegant typography characteristic of popular editions of the period. A serial number (N° 97) at the bottom of the page indicates its belonging to a collection. The mentions "Il paraît un volume par semaine" (One volume appears per week) and the publisher's address (Henri Gautier, 55 quai des Grands-Augustins, Paris) confirm the wide distribution and educational ambition of this literary series.

The book shows visible signs of age: the cover is slightly warped and has creases, particularly in the upper right and lower right corners, where tears and paper loss are observed. The binding appears to have been reinforced with a light-colored strip (likely a later restoration or protection), indicating prolonged use. The top edge of the cover is slightly dog-eared.

The cover's printing, in black ink on greyed paper, highlights the editorial style of the late 19th century, with careful floral and typographical ornamentation. The author's name, Paul Mariéton, as well as the main poets mentioned, make this volume a source of interest for lovers of regional literature and book history.

Condition

Second-hand book, sold as is. The cover shows signs of wear, tears, and creases, especially in the corners. The binding has been reinforced on the spine. The whole remains legible and the original illustration is generally preserved despite its age.

Did you know? The "Nouvelle Bibliothèque Populaire" published by Henri Gautier at the end of the 19th century aimed to make literature accessible to as many people as possible through low-priced volumes. Paul Mariéton, author of the study presented in this work, was an ardent defender of Provençal culture and a major figure in the Félibrige movement alongside Frédéric Mistral.

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Keywords: antique book, Provençal poetry, Paul Mariéton, Henri Gautier edition, popular library, 19th-century work, vintage book, regional literature, Southern poets, rare book, antique French book, Provence poetry