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Curiosa

Marguerite Reynier & Pierre Noury - Flammarion Children's Classics Trio (Ernest Flammarion, 1931)

Three vintage French illustrated classic books published by Flammarion in 1931 with red pictorial covers. - view 1
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Estimated value

$40 - $90

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Books

Brand

Flammarion

Era

1931

Origin

France

Artist / Creator

Pierre Noury

Authenticity

Very High(90%)
1

MARGUERITE REYNIER & PIERRE NOURY - FLAMMARION CHILDREN'S CLASSICS TRIO (ERNEST FLAMMARION, 1931): IDENTIFICATION

Set of three French quarto illustrated juveniles published by Ernest Flammarion in 1931, comprising Contes de Grimm, Contes des Mille et une nuits, and Rodolphe Wyss's Le Robinson suisse. Each volume features text adapted by educator Marguerite Reynier and full-page color and monochrome text illustrations by Pierre Noury. Bound in publisher's quarter red cloth over color pictorial paper boards with printed medallion vignettes on lower covers.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Interwar France1920-1939

Cartonnage d'editeur formats created specifically for school distribution and holiday gift giving during the Third Republic

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Presentation of luxury illustrated books as French municipal school prizes (livres de prix) at annual academic year ends

Meaning Through Time

1930s

Inexpensive household instructional readers for bourgeois children

2020s

Nostalgic mid-century graphic ephemera collected for Art Deco book illustrations

EDITION & PUBLISHING HISTORY

Ernest Flammarion issued this uniform series of classic adaptations in Paris during 1931 to supply the French juvenile market with affordable, fully illustrated educational reading. Text adapter Marguerite Reynier was a pedagogical pioneer who later co-founded the Père Castor imprint with Paul ...
Ernest Flammarion issued this uniform series of classic adaptations in Paris during 1931 to supply the French juvenile market with affordable, fully illustrated educational reading. Text adapter Marguerite Reynier was a pedagogical pioneer who later co-founded the Père Castor imprint with Paul Faucher in 1931, while illustrator Pierre Noury (1894 to 1981) was an established Parisian Salon exhibitor known for dynamic line work across commercial book commissions.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

Marguerite Reynier collaborated with Paul Faucher in 1931 to launch the landmark Père Castor juvenile imprint at Flammarion in the same period this classic series appeared.

2

The Bibliothèque nationale de France records Pierre Noury illustrating over twenty classic and adventure titles for French publishers between 1920 and 1945.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

    How does authenticity detection work?

    BIBLIOPHILE'S ASSESSMENT

    Rare Book Dealer & Bibliographer

    Bibliographer

    Confidence is high because title leaves, imprint details, binding formats, and named adapters match established Flammarion catalogue entries from 1931.

    WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

    • →Check acheve d'imprimer date on terminal leaf to verify precise print run month in 1931

    CONDITION & GRADE

    Good (G)

    Grading breakdown

    Downgraded from Very Good due to extensive edge rubbing on paper-covered boards, bumped corners exposing core card, and visible adhesive tape residue along the upper joint of the rear board.

    Condition

    All three volumes exhibit moderate rubbing and surface losses across the paper-covered boards. The rear cover shows surface abrasions, scattered foxing, corner chipping, and clear adhesive tape applied across the head of the spine. Interior paper shows mild, uniform age toning consistent with 1930s high-acid publisher stock.

    BOOK MARKET VALUATION

    $40 - $90

    Updated: Oct 18, 2026

    • Market comparables from auctions & retail
    • Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
    • Current collector demand & trends
    • Low = quick sale, high = patient seller

    For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

    YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN

    How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

    What Aligned

    • User date of 1931 matches Flammarion deposit records for Marguerite Reynier adaptations illustrated by Pierre Noury
    • French origin and stated bibliographic titles align directly with cover typography and title pages

    What Conflicted

    • User stated minor wear, but visual inspection shows heavy shelf friction, board paper loss, and vintage cellotape repairs

    FROM THE CABINET OF

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    COMMENTS

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