"Paroissien Romain" [Antoine Maitre, 1877] - Blue Gauffered Edges

**RESERVED**

Paroissien Romain contenant les Offices des Dimanches et des Fêtes de l’Année, le Propre et le Commun des Saints, suivis du Chemin de la Croix.

Dijon: Antoine Maitre, 1877. French language. 4" x 2.75", 592pp with a color illustrated frontispiece and one additional black & white plate. Full chocolate brown morocco binding with blind-stamped decorations on both boards and spine. Silk endpapers and gilt dentelles. All edges gilt and gauffered in gilt over blue stain. Silver clasps. Light rubbing to the blue on fore edge. Hinges tight and interior pristine. Near Fine.

In the late 19th century, Dijon’s Catholic publishers, including Antoine Maitre, produced devotional works with a reputation for careful craftsmanship. The gilt and gauffered edges on this copy, arranged in a star pattern, were made by impressing heated tools into gold leaf laid over a red-stained edge, creating a subtle two-tone effect. This type of decoration was common in finer bindings and added both visual interest and symbolic meaning. Gilt bronze clasps were a practical feature, helping to keep the book closed and its pages protected during regular use. Together, these details reflect the binding traditions of quality French religious books from the period.