THE ROMANTIC HERO OF THE GUILLOTINE

Chénier, André (1762–1794) ; Cochet, Gerard [Illustrator]

Poésies: Élégies - Odes [Fine Binding] [Limited Edition #2746/4000] [The Guillotine Poet]

Paris: Flammarion, 1953. Limited edition: 2746/4000.
A VIBRANT MID-CENTURY TRIBUTE TO THE ‘PRECURSOR OF ROMANTICISM,’ PRESENTED IN A STRIKING MODERNIST FINE BINDING.
André Chénier, whose lyrical genius was silenced by the guillotine during the Reign of Terror, is celebrated here in a limited edition featuring the evocative engravings of Gerard Cochet. This copy has been elegantly rebound in 'Havana-colored' half-morocco with unique Papier Coulé boards, featuring bold green and orange leather inlays that reflect the sensual and revolutionary spirit of the poetry within.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Binding: Custom half-morocco over red and black marbled 'Papier Coulé' boards; spine features false bands with a floral orange leather inlay and green leather title bands.
+++ Visuals: Features original engravings by Prix Blumenthal winner Gerard Cochet.
+++ Limited Edition: Number 2746 of 4000 copies from the 'Les Classiques de l'Amour' collection.
+++ State: 'objet d'art' merging 18th-century verse with 20th-century French craft. 
+++ Rarity: Uncommon in this specific bespoke binding; most copies of this edition remain in their original fragile paper wraps. 
+++ Specs: 12mo; 7.25 inches tall (boards 7.5 inches); 201, [2] pages.

CONDITION: Near Fine -- A bright, gift-quality specimen. The bindings are tight and square with only a hint of shelf handling. The text is clean; preliminary pages show light age-toning where the original wrappers were bound-in. A beautiful, well-preserved example of mid-century French bibliopegy.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
André Chénier occupies a unique and tragic position in the French literary canon. Executed at age 31 just three days before the fall of Robespierre, he became a martyr-hero for the Romantic movement. His work, which seamlessly blended classical Greek forms with an intense, modern emotionality, served as a primary inspiration for Victor Hugo and the later Parnassian poets. His life famously served as the basis for Umberto Giordano's verismo opera, Andrea Chénier.

This edition, published by Flammarion in 1953, represents the post-war French revival of the 'Limited Edition' market. The illustrator, Gerard Cochet, was a decorated veteran of the First World War and a master engraver, whose clean, modern lines provide a perfect visual counterpoint to Chénier’s melancholic odes. The bespoke 'Havana' morocco binding elevates this from a mere book of poetry to a documentary artifact of French design history.

SUBJECTS: French Poetry, Romanticism, French Revolution, Fine Bindings, 18th Century Literature, Gerard Cochet, Poetry, Fine Binding, Limited Edition, French Literature.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE:
Monod, 2736 (for the series); Carteret, IV, p. 103 (ref).

Item #21591

Price: $225.00