Amable TASTU

Autograph letter signed by Amable Tastu, monogram stamped in blind in upper left corner, 11 lines written in black ink.
Fold mark inherent to mailing.
The author sends various works to his correspondent and also informs him that he has at his disposal: "le morceau que je vous ai promis pour un fac-simile..." ("the piece I promised you for a facsimile...")

First edition, illustrated with 4 hors-texte steel and heavy vellum engravings by Rouargue, a title vignette and in-text illustrations.
Publisher's binding in navy blue rice-grain percaline cloth. Spine decorated with a special plate featuring a boat, train, a seated walker with his bag and gilt and polychrome ornaments, signed Haarhaus. Large identical polychrome plate on both covers: at center, large bucolic scene with a traveler, a carriage and a city on the horizon, framing this scene a boat, a train, a coat of arms... Gilt edges. The 2 upper corners slightly folded, otherwise superb copy, beautifully fresh and without defect. Paper very white with occasionally some light foxing at the tissue guards protecting the engravings. On the half-title, gift inscription in blue ink covering half the page.
Pioneer work in the genre of geographical popularization of France. After a career as a poetess, Amable Tastu became a recognized pedagogue and her journey through France would see several reissues and enchant several generations. The narrative progresses by regions and peregrinations, cataloguing the cultural treasures contained in the cities and regions.

Autograph letter signed by Amable Tastu, addressed to her mother-in-law Élise Voïart and written in black ink.
A small tear in left margin, not touching text.

New edition illustrated with a frontispiece drawn by Achille Deveria and engraved by Antoine Fauchery.
Half aubergine straight-grained Russia leather binding, spine with four raised bands decorated with lyre tools, gilt fillets and rolls, marbled paper boards, pastedowns and endpapers. Retaining its deckled edges.
Spine uniformly faded, some foxing. Handsome copy very pleasantly bound.

First edition.
Half red calf binding, smooth spine richly decorated with gilt arabesques and a gilt bird ornament with black title-label, marbled paper boards, binding signed by Lefebvre.
A few very minor spots of worming.

Fourth edition, decorated with a frontispiece engraved by A. Fauchery after Devéria and printed on chine collé.
Contemporary half red calf binding, smooth spine richly decorated with gilt arabesques as well as a gilt bird tool and a black title-label, marbled paper boards, binding signed by Lefebvre.
Some minimal worming.

Second edition illustrated with a frontispiece, a double-page map as well as 5 out-of-text engravings by Rouargue.
Half black shagreen binding, spine with four fine raised bands decorated with fillets and triple black compartments, black paper boards, one lower corner slightly bumped, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, all edges gilt.
Copy almost entirely free from foxing, minor harmless spots on boards.