I happened upon this book by chance a while ago and it was just so unique, I had to buy it. It is a lovely thing. This book is the translation/reprint by Charles Plante of the alphabet book made for the young Alfred Bourdier de Beauregard by his uncle Arnaud.
No one is really sure who exactly uncle Arnaud was, but it is clear that he loved his nephew and went through a lot of work to make him this precious gift. Incidentally, the nephew Alfred prized this gift all his life.
Just a ton of work: drawing, painting, then binding. Besides the fact that it is a labor of love, it is such a great window into aristocratic French life post-Revolution. Alfred's family managed to escape death and preserve wealth (though the Chateau de Beaumont de Beauregard was partially burned by peasant mobs) by living a secluded life in this lovely chateau, illustrated in the book. Plus, there are all the other important pictures that seem to be in every alphabet book since the beginning of time.
You always gotta have a rainbow.
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780847830107-0
No comments:
Post a Comment