Legendes Russes

Collected and Decorated by Maurice De Becque

When I walked into an antique books store, I fell in love with this book. 
​As soon as I held it I knew what I would do with it - I could see the finished product in my mind's eye.  All I had to do was figure out how to make it!  It took some time, but I am ever so pleased with the results.  For me, it is a thing of great beauty!

​For Sale
Price on request

The book as it is first appears, in a sober duck-blue box with the title in raspberry leather lettering with a thin frame in the same leather

A close-up of the lettering showing that within the R there is a small red garnet

The box opened, showing that there is another box inside.

A close-up of the second box, showing it's red leather with orange detailing and the red lizard skin

A close-up of the detail on the second box, revealing the 3 garnet accent stones

The second box opened, showing a third box inside, this time in Aqua sea snake.

A close-up of the decoration of the third box, consisting of two uncut Colombian emeralds and a diamond (all stones real natural stones)

And finally the book itself revealed, covered in lovely orange leather with an inset detail

And a view of with all the sides of the boxes collapsed, showing off the vivid colours of the suede linings - black, orange, cyclamen. The ribbons are for pulling all 4 sides up at the same time so you can put the lid of the box back on.

A close-up of the decoration of the book, showing two frames in orange and aqua sea snake, around a sanded orange leather rectangle containing uncut Colombian emeralds and cut diamonds.

A close-up of the stone decoration on the cover - two rough Columbian emeralds and 4 diamonds

The book with its three boxes

Another view of the book and its three boxes

The boxes and the lids without the book

The bottom parts of the boxes without the lids, showing the aqua suede base the book rests on

The inside leaves of the book, in aqua sea snake

The original cover of the book

The frontespiece of the book

One of the illustrations of the book - the colours inspired the leathers chosen for the boxes

Another lovely illustrated page

Yet another lovely illustration

End page

Back cover

Printer's notice

Photos by Nikolaus van der Pas

Book acquired at Pierre Coumans

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