L'illustration, Journal Universel. Tome XII, orne de 300 vignettes. Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Decembre 1848, Janvier, Fevrier 1849.

Paris: A. Le Chevalier, 1848-1849. Hardcover. Folio volume with 6 months of the French weekly illustrated magazine published 1848/1849, with many full page plates on a wide range of topics, including mail and post transported by train, China, wine production, California, Java and Algeria. L'Illustration was a weekly French newspaper published in Paris from 1843 to 1944. Founded by Edouard Charton it was the first French newspaper to publish a photograph.

China content includes a wonderfully illustrated tale titled "Le rossignol et l'empereur de la Chine", the Hans Christian Andersen's story 'The Nightingale', which was originally published in 1843, with 32 vignette illustrations incorporated into the text in 3 columns pp284-285).

California content includes a 2pp article (p383) on the California and the discovery of gold, which includes a map (Carte de la Haute Californie) showing gold and silver mines and the route taken by Captn Fremont. This is a wood block map, original to the magazine, of the coast from Los Angeles up to Port St. Georges. Half page map surrounded by a 2 page letter entitled "La Californie d'apres les documents Americains", by V. D. Bellume.

Folio, 420pp. Three quarter brown calf and gray marbled boards, title and volume number in gilt at dark green spine label. Boards rubbed, spine ends chipped, front board held on only be the ties. There is a tide mark visible at the foredge of the end papers, not visible in the text. The bookplate of the Nelson family which includes Horatio, with the name William Nelson printed underneath (the motto "palmam qui meruit ferat"} at front paste down. Illustrations bright and clean. Very good overall. Item #22479

Price: $175.00