1878 Souvenir de l'Exposition Universelle

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Original Binding, Publishers' Original Binding, Uncommon

A lovely and very scarce copy of this Victorian-era photobook, with full gilt page edges.

Bound in original blue variant cloth, with enchanting gilt motif to the front board, depicting the centre of the exhibition: the Palais du Trocadero, and its surrounding grounds.

Contains 11 plates of photographs credited to 'Neurdein' - a name belonging to a pair of photographer brothers with a studio in Paris. The National Portrait Gallery currently holds several of their photographs in addition to their illustrations and portraits.

The World Fair, or l'Exposition Universelle, of 1878 was held shortly following the Franco-Prussian war, which had ended in 1871, and aimed to celebrate France's recovery.

The largest World Fair ever to be presented at the time, Paris displayed a great number of artistic and technological achievements, from a variety of nations, including the completed head of the Statue of Liberty, an impressive sight, which helped to raise funds for the completion of the statue, which would be gifted to the city of New York in 1886.