☙ Le Robinson Suisse

1890 - Johann David Wyss

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☙ Le Robinson Suisse

✑ Johann David Wyss

LE ROBINSON SUISSE, OU JOURNAL D'UN PÈRE DE FAMILLE NAUFRAGÉ AVEC SES ENFANTS

The Swiss Family Robinson, Johann David Wyss's masterpiece originally published in 1812, experiences a remarkable renaissance with this 1890 Garnier Frères edition. This French translation by Élise Volart, enriched with an introduction by Charles Nodier and magnificently illustrated with 200 vignettes by Charles Lemercier, represents one of the pinnacles of 19th-century illustrated publishing. The work recounts the adventures of a Swiss family shipwrecked on a deserted island, forced to rebuild a miniature civilization using ingenuity and natural resources. This edition is distinguished by the exceptional quality of its illustrations, which accompany the reader through every stage of the Robinson family's journey. Charles Lemercier, a renowned lithographic artist, successfully captured the spirit of adventure and ingenuity that characterizes this foundational narrative of youth adventure literature. The presence of Charles Nodier as prefacer adds a valuable literary and critical dimension to this edition, placing the work in its cultural and pedagogical context.

Why add it to your collection?

Exceptional illustrated edition featuring 200 vignettes drawn by Charles Lemercier, renowned 19th-century lithographic artist

French translation by Élise Volart, considered one of the finest adaptations of Wyss's classic work

Prestigious introduction by Charles Nodier, celebrated French bibliophile and man of letters, director of the Arsenal Library

1890 Garnier Frères edition, Parisian publishing house renowned for the quality of its literary publications

Hardcover binding in excellent state of preservation, testament to the care lavished on this collector's edition

Description

Historical and Literary Context

The Swiss Family Robinson belongs to the Robinsonade tradition initiated by Daniel Defoe with Robinson Crusoe. Johann David Wyss, a Swiss pastor, conceived this work as an educational tool for his own children, combining adventure, moral instruction, and practical knowledge. The story follows a family of six – father, mother, and their four sons – who, after a shipwreck, must learn to survive on a lush tropical island teeming with extraordinary natural resources.

The 1890 Garnier Frères Edition

This edition published by Garnier Frères, one of the most prestigious Parisian publishing houses of the 19th century, testifies to the cultural importance accorded to classics of youth literature. The Garnier house was renowned for its carefully crafted editions, combining typographic quality with iconographic richness. The hardcover binding of this edition guaranteed its durability, intended to be passed down from generation to generation.

Charles Lemercier's Illustrations

Charles Lemercier, famous 19th-century lithographer and illustrator, created 200 vignettes that punctuate the narrative. These detailed illustrations represent key moments of the adventure: the construction of the family dwelling, the domestication of exotic animals, the manufacture of tools and boats, explorations of the island, and the family's multiple ingenious inventions. Each vignette constitutes testimony to the graphic style of the period and the romantic vision of colonial adventure.

Élise Volart's Translation

Élise Volart produced a French adaptation that respects the didactic spirit of the original while adapting it to French taste. Her translation makes accessible to young French-speaking readers the moral, scientific, and practical teachings contained in the work. The text addresses varied themes: botany, zoology, geology, as well as family and Christian values.

Charles Nodier's Introduction

The preface by Charles Nodier, Romantic writer and director of the Arsenal Library, brings literary legitimacy to this edition. Nodier, a great connoisseur of literature and knowledgeable bibliophile, situates the work in the French literary landscape and analyzes its pedagogical and moral importance. His introduction constitutes a precious document for understanding the work's reception in 19th-century France.

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