Rare book on sale at Tiverton Oxfam (From Mid Devon Star)

Rare book on sale at Tiverton Oxfam

7:00am Wednesday 2nd December 2009 in News By Jon Wills

A RARE and beautiful book, donated to the Oxfam shop in Tiverton, is being sold at a relatively knockdown price.

The book, Les Fleurs Animeés, is one of the last of the works by 19th century artist J Grandville and contains delicately hand-coloured steel antique engravings.

Shop manager Alison Gear said this week: “We are really excited about this find, we knew it was special as soon as we saw it.”

Grandville, whose real name was Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard was born in 1803 and died in 1847.

Les Fleurs Animeés is regarded as one of the finest achievements of book illustration.

Alison Gear added: “This book is for sale on the internet by others for over £2,000, we are only asking £1,000.

“The condition of the book is excellent for the age, please feel free to come into the store and have a look, it would make a lovely Christmas present for that special person in your life.”