Lot 09167

[Απαγωγή Δουκίσσης της Πλακεντίας] ABOUT Edmond, DORE Gustave (ill.), “Le Roi des Montagnes / soixante-quatorzième mille”, Librairie Hachette, Paris, 1924. Large 8vo, pp.297, [2]. Richly illustrated by Gustave Doré with 158 woodcut vignettes and 12 full-page plates. Based on the kidnapping of the Duchesse de Plaisance (Δούκισσα της Πλακεντίας) by the local brigand Bibisis (Μπίμπισης). In this famous tale, the author parodies, uniquely, the romantic myth of Greek lads, the warrior-bandit, the hero of the Greek revolution, describing the reality he found in Greece in 1854, a reality which consisted of ruins, poverty and great social contradictions. This work of About was initially considered extremely non-Greek. Original blind-stamped in gilt red cloth covers. Contominas 5 (for an 1927 edition).