Madame De Stael Appraisal

De l'Allemagne by Madame de Staël (Antique Leather Binding)

This item is an antique hardcover book, specifically a volume of 'De l'Allemagne' (On Germany) authored by Anne Louise Germaine de Staël, commonly known as Madame de Staël. The spine is bound in a light-brown or tan leather, likely calfskin, featuring five raised bands that divide the spine into six compartments. Two of these compartments possess darker brown Moroccan-style leather labels (titling pieces) with gilded lettering: the upper label displays 'MADAME DE STAEL' and the lower label reads 'DE L'ALLEMAGNE'. The leather displays significant age-related wear, including heavy scuffing, pitting, and discoloration throughout the spine. There is visible rubbing along the edges of the raised bands and the head and foot of the spine. Small areas of the surface leather have flaked off, revealing the lighter fibrous texture beneath, a common sign of desiccation or 'red rot'. The gilding on the labels remains legible but shows signs of fading and oxidation. This binding style and the physical degradation suggest an early-to-mid 19th-century production, likely dating between 1813 and 1850. The craftsmanship represents a standard library binding of the era, focusing on durability and classical aesthetics, though the current condition indicates it has been handled frequently or stored in a fluctuating environment.