Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Fine Press Decorative Binding, Hardcover Book • Easton Press or International Collectors Library
Style & Movement
Neoclassical/Baroque Revival decorative arts, influenced by 18th-century French luxury bookbinding
Medium & Technique
Full genuine leather (likely pigskin or high-quality cowhide) with 22kt gold leaf stamping and gilt edges. Features hubbed spines and moiré silk endpapers.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s-1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9.5 x 6.5 inches (standard octavo), portrait format
Subject Description
A luxury edition of Gustave Flaubert's seminal realist novel. The cover features an ornate gilt floral border with a central heraldic crest featuring three towers under a crown. This crest is a stylistic hallmark of the International Collectors Library 'Czarist' or 'French' designs.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; appears well-preserved with sharp corners and bright gilding.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $40 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced luxury library edition; likely purchased via subscription service in the United States.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the trend of 'accessible luxury' in the mid-to-late 20th century, where publishers marketed high-end aesthetic editions of classic literature for home libraries.
Notable Features
Distinctive hubbed spine, 22kt gold gilt ornamentation, and the specific heraldic device used by the International Collectors Library for their decorative series.
Condition Issues
None visible in the image; common issues for this type include light rubbing to the gilt or shelf wear at the base of the spine.
Conservation Recommendations
Store vertically in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent leather drying and gold fading.