Details
[NODIER, Charles (1780 - 1844)]. Manuscript of 'The astonishing history of Treasure-Trove and Peas Blossom, translated from the French and illustrated with original designs by a totally unknown artist. 1865', an English translation of Nodier's fairy tale Trésor des Fèves et Fleur des Pois (1833), written in brown ink, dated at the head '24 March 1865', the margins decorated with pen and ink drawings of flowers and plants, animals, people, towns etc., with 15 small drawings illustrating the story (65 x 55 mm and smaller) on card, set into the text, 62 pages, 205 x 165 mm, blank leaves, 19th century morocco, gilt title ('Lady Macarthy's Treasure Trove M.S.S.'). Provenance. Robert, Marquess of Crewe (bookplate).
Charles Nodier, librarian of the Arsenal, philologist and author of romantic novels, wrote this popular tale of a poor couple who adopt an infant boy discovered in their beanfield and of the child's subsequent adventures, in 1833, the year of his election to the French Academy. Several English editions followed, and the present manuscript with its imaginative and delicate illustrations suggests the continuing affection in which the story was held in the mid-19th century.
Charles Nodier, librarian of the Arsenal, philologist and author of romantic novels, wrote this popular tale of a poor couple who adopt an infant boy discovered in their beanfield and of the child's subsequent adventures, in 1833, the year of his election to the French Academy. Several English editions followed, and the present manuscript with its imaginative and delicate illustrations suggests the continuing affection in which the story was held in the mid-19th century.
