An antiquarian volume of French historical memoirs, Tome LXX (Volume 70) of the "Seconde Série" of the "Collection des Mémoires relatifs à l'Histoire de France". Published in Paris in 1828 by Foucault, this volume was compiled and edited by the noted scholars Alexandre Petitot and Louis-Jean-Nicolas Monmerqué. The work is presented in its original blue paper wrappers (broché) with untrimmed, deckled edges, representing a rare survival of the temporary binding in which early 19th-century French books were distributed prior to bespoke library binding.

Historical & Style Details

• Subject / Sitter / Source: French history memoirs from the accession of Henri IV to the Peace of Paris (1763)
• Artist / Maker / Author: Edited by Alexandre Petitot and Louis-Jean-Nicolas Monmerqué; published by Foucault
• Period: Georgian (1828)
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Letterpress printing on paper, original paper wrappers
• Materials: Paper
• Markings: Printed title page on cover: "COLLECTION DES MÉMOIRES RELATIFS A L'HISTOIRE DE FRANCE... TOME LXX... PARIS, FOUCAULT... 1828"
• Condition: Significant wear to the blue paper wrappers, including a torn and folded upper right corner on the front cover; spine fragile with some loss; edges of the text block heavily frayed, deckled, and untrimmed as issued; minor foxing and toning consistent with age.

History

This volume belongs to the monumental historical undertaking by Petitot and Monmerqué to compile and annotate key memoirs of French history. Published during the Bourbon Restoration, such collections reflected a romantic revival of interest in France's national past and chivalric heritage. Surviving in its original, fragile publisher's paper wrappers rather than a later leather binding, it offers a fascinating glimpse into early 19th-century book production and distribution practices.