{"product_id":"marmontel-moral-tales-1821-calf","title":"Antique Marmontel Moral Tales 1821 Full Calf Binding","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eMarmontel's \u003cem\u003eMoral Tales\u003c\/em\u003e spent decades as one of the most widely read works of French prose fiction in English translation, and this 1821 London edition is a handsome example of a Regency trade binding done properly. The full calf covers carry blind-tooled arabesque panels, the kind of acanthus-scroll decoration that was already considered quietly classical by the time this copy was bound, and the spine is gilt throughout with a deep burgundy title label. Two engraved plates accompany the text, their imprints dated April 1827 in the standard registration practice of the period. A period ink inscription sits on the front endpaper, the hand clear and the date legible, the name not fully decipherable. It is a small, considered library book that has clearly lived on a shelf and been read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap\"\u003e[d]Author | Jean-François Marmontel [d]Title | Moral Tales [d]Publisher | Printed for F.C. and J. Rivington et al. [d]Date | 1821 [d]Binding | Full calf, gilt and blind-tooled arabesque panels, gilt spine, burgundy morocco title label [d]Illustrations | Two engraved plates; plate imprints dated April 6, 1827 [d]Inscription | Period ink inscription to front endpaper; name not fully legible, date readable [d]Dimensions | 5.25 in H x 3 in W x 1 in D [d]Language | English [d]Origin | United Kingdom\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap\"\u003e[condition] The binding is original and structurally sound, with wear consistent with age and use. The spine shows rubbing and some fading to the gilt, with minor surface cracking to the calf along the joints. The arabesque panel tooling on the boards remains clear. The text block is tight. Foxing is present throughout the pages, light to moderate and typical for paper of this period and quality. The engraved plates are present and complete. The marbled endpapers and edges survive in good condition with some toning. An honest good copy, decorative and complete.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie Design","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51402992910614,"sku":"AMD-03115","price":325.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/June_2026_drews_books-7894.jpg?v=1781123319","url":"https:\/\/austyn-marie.myshopify.com\/products\/marmontel-moral-tales-1821-calf","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}