266 - [REGIONALISM]. ORAIN, Adolphe. A Picturesque Geography of the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine.

[REGIONALISM]. ORAIN, Adolphe. A Picturesque Geography of the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine. First edition of this richly illustrated historical and geographical study of the Ille-et-Vilaine department. Rennes, Alphonse le Roy fils, 1882. Large, sturdy in-4, aubergine half-shagreen with corners edged in a gold fillet, spine with raised bands highlighted by a gold fillet and cold-stamped, title label in red morocco, gilt head, cover boards preserved (binding signed A. Le Couturier) xix, 481 pp. and 1 f. (end of printing), 1 frontispiece, 12 plates and maps (including one fold-out), numerous illustrations and pen-and-ink drawings in the text, headpieces, initials, and tailpieces. Leather worn along the spine, minor scuffs. Scattered foxing, tears in the center and margins of the large fold-out map at the end of the volume, fading of the engravings. First edition of this important historical and geographical study of the 357 municipalities and cantons of Ille-et-Vilaine at the end of the 19th century, by the Breton folklorist and historian Adolphe Orain (1834–1918). The author presents an exhaustive study, canton by canton, combining physical geography, historical notes, descriptions of monuments, as well as a valuable collection of local legends, folk tales, traditional songs, and regional customs. The volume is richly illustrated with maps and pen-and-ink drawings engraved after works by Th. Busnel, Henri Saintin, Tanorède Abraham, Albert Philippon, Ed. Vaumort, and H. Arondel. A complete copy with all its inserts, including a large, full-color fold-out map of Ille-et-Vilaine at the end of the volume. A fine copy, in sturdy condition.