The Keepsake Francais

Very good copy of this collection of chromolithographs of Medieval and Renaissance costumes

With 12 plates from A. Mazuy's Types et Caracteres Anciens, d'apres des Documents Peints ou Ecrits.

A dozen romantic figures from history in three colours (red, black and white) on a sepia background by the artists Theophile Fragonard and Dufey, lithographed by Louis Rene Letronne.

With many curious vignettes in the text.

The subjects include:

Venetian courtesan or cortigna onesta, 17th century. La courtisane Venitienne.

La Chatelaine, Dutch woman wearing a fashionable chatelaine belt clasp with purse, keys, etc., 16th century.

Student with book, sword, and knife hanging from his belt, in doublet, cape, hose and shoes, 17th century. L'ecolier.

Dandy in cap, lace ruff collar, short cape, quilted doublet, hose, buckle shoes, wearing a sword. Le Mignon, 16th century.

Romany or Gypsy dancing girl, La Bohemienne, 17th century. Dancing with her hair in pigtails, barefoot, anklets and hitting a tambourine above her head.

La Camarera-Mayor, First Lady of the Bedchamber, Royal Household of Spain, 17th century.

Swashbuckling swordsman, Le Bravo, 16th century. With curious vignette in the text of a bound man being thrown over a castle wall into the sea.

The fool or jester, le Fou, 15th century. In hat with bells, short doublet with long sleeves, particolour hose, holding a marotte.

Empirical physician, l'Empirique, 17th century. Doctor in hat, robes and coat examining a flask of urine.

Pilgrim, le Pelerin, 17th century. In mended habit, hat and sandals, holding a stick with a flask and rosary on his belt.

Midget with parrot, le Nain, 16th century. Court performer in hat, striped doublet, cape and codpiece, with sword and large parrot.

Adventurer, l'Aventurier, 16th century, with a ship exploding in the background!

A. Mazuy (1808-?) was a French author, translator and editor who contributed to Orlando Furioso 1838, Jerusalem delivree, 1845, Les hommes celebres de l'Italie 1845.

Theophile Fragonard 1806-1876 was a French painter and illustrator, grandson of the famous rococo artist Jean-Honore Fragonard.

Original publisher's green watermarked-silk binding, gilt title on spine, cloth cracked with 1cm loss, blind-stamped covers with some spotting and rippling, armorial bookplate, marble endpapers, hinges reinforced with green tape, text and plates with some scattered foxing and finger smudges, but chromolithographic plates mostly clean and bright.