Vintage paperback San-Antonio Bas les pattes Fleuve Noir crime fiction

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This antique paperback features the illustrated cover of the detective novel "Bas les pattes" (Hands Off), signed by Commissioner San-Antonio and published by Éditions Fleuve Noir. The book displays a visual style typical of French crime novels from the 1950s to the 1970s, with a dynamic illustration depicting two men in suits, one a determined-looking blonde character and the other looking disgruntled, in a stylized office setting. Dominant colors include dark blue, bright red for the title, and beige and olive tones for the suits. A red band at the bottom of the cover highlights the iconic name San-Antonio. The visual impression immediately evokes the world of popular crime novels from that era.

The title "Bas les pattes" appears in large red letters on a dark background, instantly recognizable to fans of French detective literature. The mention "Commissaire SAN-ANTONIO" is located at the bottom of the cover, accompanied by the "Éditions Fleuve Noir" logo, a publishing house specializing in crime and action novels. The graphic style of the cover, blending realism with accentuated expressions, is representative of illustrations from the original San-Antonio collection.

The book has a compact form, characteristic of a paperback, with a soft cover and slightly worn corners, indicating regular handling. There are visible fold marks and signs of wear on the spine and edges, typical of a used copy that has been around for several decades. The cover colors remain well-contrasted despite a visible patina, and the inscriptions generally remain legible.

The visible front shows no major defects beyond wear from use: no significant chips, stains, or notable tears on the front cover. The inscriptions are perfectly legible: "Bas les pattes", "Commissaire SAN-ANTONIO", "Éditions Fleuve Noir". The back, spine, and interior of the book are not visible in the provided image.

The overall style of this paperback, the typography, and the illustration suggest an original or early reprint edition, typical of French crime novels from the 1960s-1970s, a period during which San-Antonio enjoyed immense popular success.

Condition

Used book, sold as is. Visible signs of wear on the cover (folds, rubbed corners), patina of use consistent with an old paperback.

Did you know? The character of San-Antonio, created by Frédéric Dard in 1949, was featured in over 170 novels published primarily by Fleuve Noir. The series became a pillar of French detective fiction, blending intrigue, humor, and popular language, and influenced several generations of readers.

AFW Reassurance

Your order will be carefully packaged and shipped promptly by a professional seller specializing in antique books and collectibles.

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