Book with slipcase - Flaubert, Gustave: Madame Bovary. Paris, 1930

The edition of Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary on view was published by the French Éditions Conard – the firm’s distinctive logo, depicting a bee alighting on a flower, is visible on the frontispiece. The story of the Károly Grill publishing house, which distributed this edition, was full of twists and turns. The publisher originally specialised in legal books underwent several changes in ownership during its century of operation (1841–1950). During the adverse economic period following World War I, they were compelled to sell imported books, and it was during this time that the volume was also distributed for sale. We do not have any authoritative source currently that would show that this excellent quality binding was made in Budapest, as there are also similarly bound examples that have survived in France. This volume was sold to the Museum of Applied Arts by István Triznya.