March II 2021 Catalogue

B a u m a n R a r e B o o k s F a i t h 2 0 2 1 18 “Perhaps The Most Important Landmark In Doré’s Career” 18. (BIBLE) DORÉ, Gustave. The Holy Bible. London and New York, circa 1889-1892. Forty- four parts. Folio (9-1/2 by 12 inches), original printed beige paper wrappers, two custom half morocco slipcases. $3200. Click for More Info Later edition of Gustave Doré’s great folio Bible, complete in 44 original parts, splendidly illustrated by him with 192 full-page wood-engravings. “In the 1870s, The Doré Bible was perhaps the most treasured (and expensive) book in the world” (Malan, 81). Certainly, it proved a milestone in Doré’s career. “The Bible was enthusiastically sponsored by one of the greatest French publishers of illustrated books of the day, Mame of Tours… Its original reception was truly remarkable… The demand among collectors for any and everything by Doré was clamorous” (Muir, 224). This is a later edition published by renowned religious publisher Cassell, Petter, and Galpin. Publishing in parts allowed for many copies of this work to be distributed worldwide, especially to missionary and colonial ex-patriot communities. However, the fragile nature of the parts created a preservation challenge. Accordingly, Doré’s Bible in parts is quite rare, especially complete. While the early editions are undated, they contained 238 plates; this edition contains 192 plates. With Family Register pages with wood-engraved borders. Pencil owner signatures and a few check marks on front wrappers. Light scattered foxing and soiling to interiors, a bit of soiling to wrappers, especially affecting Parts 1, 6, 36, 39, expected wear to extremities of oversize original wrappers especially Part 1. An extremely good copy.