79 - ROYAL ALMANAC, Leap Year M.D.CC.LVI. Paris, Le Breton, 1756. In-8 (188 x 125 mm), contemporary binding in white morocco leather with a gold-dotted background; on the covers, cut-out bands of red and green morocco leather embellished with gold motifs forming a double frame from which emerge, on all four sides, large rocaille compositions; gilded and silvered paper decorations on a pink mica-flecked background in the reserved areas; a large, ornate central oval, within a mosaic frame of green morocco leather enhanced with gold motifs and mica-infused paillon ornamentation, featuring an elegant gilded vase of flowers on a red morocco leather background, a ribbed spine divided into six panels, the second bearing the gilded title on a piece of green morocco leather, the other five adorned with round medallions, each bearing a mica-infused paillon motif on a piece of red or green morocco leather; blue tabis endpapers; a cardboard slipcase lined with green velvet.

ROYAL ALMANAC, Leap Year M.D.CC.LVI. Paris, Le Breton, 1756. In-8 (188 x 125 mm), contemporary binding in white morocco leather with a gold-dotted background; on the covers, cut-out bands of red and green morocco leather embellished with gold motifs forming a double frame from which emerge, on all four sides, large rocaille compositions; gilded and silvered paper decorations on a pink mica-flecked background in the reserved areas; a large, ornate central oval, within a mosaic frame of green morocco leather enhanced with gold motifs and mica-infused paillon ornamentation, featuring an elegant gilded vase of flowers on a red morocco leather background, a ribbed spine divided into six panels, the second bearing the gilded title on a piece of green morocco leather, the other five adorned with round medallions, each bearing a mica-infused paillon motif on a piece of red or green morocco leather; blue tabis endpapers; a cardboard slipcase lined with green velvet. A very fine example of a mosaic binding known as “clinquant,” combining a leather mosaic with straw-and-mica decoration. This type of decoration, which is fragile and very rare in good condition, was in vogue between 1555 and 1570 and is generally found on royal almanacs, as is the case here. This binding is cited by Michon (256), who attributes it to the Derome workshop, as he does all bindings of this type. The binding is preserved in very fine condition. Minimal restoration at the top and bottom of the spine. From the Grace Whitney Hoff Library (I, 1933, no. 368, with color reproduction) with an ex-libris. Acquired by Émile Rossignol in 1960. Michon (L.-M.). Les reliures mosaïquées du XVIIIe siècle, Paris, 1956, no. 256.