Chants et chansons populaires de la France

Second edition by Garnier in a new expanded format, after the first by Delloye in 1843, in 125 installments of 4 leaves comprising a notice, the score and 4 recto-verso pages of steel engravings (extraordinary compositions framing the song text), in addition to three frontispieces. Illustrations by Trimollet, Daubigny, Meissonnier... The first edition by Delloye contained only 84 installments and songs. Printed on heavy laid paper.
Half dark green morocco binding with corners signed Niedrée at foot. Spine with raised bands ornately decorated in grotesque style with stylized wavelets. Top edges gilt. Thin split to upper joint at head of volume 1 and at foot of volume 3. 2 corners of volume 3 slightly opened and pushed in. Some rare browning to margins of certain leaves. Handsome copy, uncut.
39 songs in volume 1, 32 in volume 2, 54 in volume 3, making 125 installments and songs, divided into war songs and patriotic songs, burlesque satirical songs and laments and rondeaux... One of the finest Romantic illustrated works, the material is abundant and rich, full of imagination and verve. This volume is above all one of Trimolet's principal works as an illustrator, whom Baudelaire particularly praises in his Curiosités esthétiques, in the chapter on Caricaturists. Carteret compares this production to the finest illustrated works of the 18th century.