Notre-Dame la Sirène (Our Lady the Mermaid)
Literature/Book Design, French edition in paperback format • Stratis Myrivilis (Author); Robert Laffont (Publisher); André Mirambel (Translator)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century European Book Design; part of the Pavillons series
Medium & Technique
Printed ink on paper and cardstock; offset lithography
Creation Period
circa 1958
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 19 x 12 cm; standard octavo portrait format
Subject Description
A French translation of the Greek novel 'I Panagia i Gorgona'. The cover features a central woodcut-style vignette of a figure (likely Arion or a siren) riding a large sea creature/fish while playing a lyre, symbolizing the fusion of pagan and Christian imagery central to the book.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible structural wear and age-related deterioration
Estimated Market Value
15 USD - 35 USD
Auction Estimate
10 USD - 25 USD
Provenance History
Likely a mass-market retail purchase from the late 1950s or 1960s; part of the 'Pavillons' collection under the imprint of Robert Laffont
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a major work of modern Greek literature introduced to the French-speaking world. Myrivilis is a key figure of the 'Generation of the '30s'. This edition reflects the cross-cultural exchange between Greece and France post-WWII.
Notable Features
Features the iconic green 'Pavillons' border with a sawtooth pattern; Includes the translator's name (André Mirambel), a noted scholar of Modern Greek.
Condition Issues
Significant wear to the bottom left corner with paper loss/peeling; edge wear and rubbing along the spine; foxing and staining on the white central panel; overall yellowing of the paper stock.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a pH-neutral, acid-free archival sleeve; keep in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading and paper brittleness.