292 - VITU, Auguste. Paris.

VITU, Auguste. Paris. Paris, Maison Quantin, n.d. (c. 1889). In-4 (36 x 27 cm), red half-maroquin, decorated raised spine, title label, year of publication on the tail. Binding signed “P. Ruban” on the upper endpaper. 512 pp. Slight scuffing on the raised bands and cap bands. Water stains on the top cover. Illustrated edition featuring 500 beautiful, previously unpublished drawings reproduced from life, both within the text and as inserts. A reference work published shortly after the 1889 Paris Exposition and the construction of the Eiffel Tower. Auguste Vitu recounts the history of Paris and the city’s evolution in the early 20th century. The table of contents outlines his subject matter: Bird’s-eye view of Paris, The Seine, The streets of Paris, The Cité, The left bank of the Seine, The right bank of the Seine, The 1889 World’s Fair. A valuable alphabetical index facilitates a wide range of research within this volume. Vitu began his career as a typesetter before becoming a journalist. In 1867, he founded the *Journal des Finances* and the newspaper *L’Etendard*. He became editor-in-chief of *Le Peuple Français* in 1869. Throughout his career, he was a publisher, historian, literary and theater critic, novelist, and author of finance textbooks. This man of many talents is also known for this beautiful work on Paris. The interior of this copy is in very fresh condition, bound in a lovely Petrus Ruban binding.