Set of Three Tonal Antique French Educational Books

This trio of antique French books features complementary muted tones of blue and green—classic French colors that are surprisingly hard to find. This set is the perfect base for a vignette or styled shelf display. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, each of these books shares a common educational purpose, reflecting the broader role of literature, geography, and religious instruction in the French school system during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Together, these books represent a cross-section of subjects central to the French Third Republic’s educational reforms: geography, religion, and classical literature. Each was once used to educate students during a time when schoolbooks were seen as tools to build both knowledge and civic identity.

Titles:

Le Tour de la France par Deux Enfants (1901) – A geography and civics textbook teaching children about France’s regions and industries, classic tan cover with pretty smoky navy blue spine: 7.25 x 4.5 x .75'

Psautier de David (1879) – A religious psalter with psalms, hymns, and prayers for Catholic schoolchildren, powder blue with dark tan spine, 6 x 6.75 x .5"

Choix de Lettres du XVIIe Siècle (1913) – A literature textbook featuring selected letters from the 17th century for language study, muted mint green with dark teal spine, 6.25 x 4 x 1"

Individual Book Details

1. Le Tour de la France par Deux Enfants (1901)

Published in 1901 by Béline Frère in Paris, this geography textbook was widely used in French schools to teach children about the country’s regions, industries, and cultural heritage. The book was part of a program to foster national unity in the decades after the Franco-Prussian War.

Cover: Tan boards with a blue cloth spine and tan paper label

Condition: Worn and creased with visible spine netting; pages show foxing but are intact

Notable Feature: Inscribed as part of a City of Paris initiative to provide books free of charge to public school libraries

2. Psautier de David (1879)

Printed in 1879 by Alfred Mame et Fils in Tours, this religious text was published for use in Catholic schools. It contains the Psalms of David, hymns, and prayers to accompany religious instruction.

Cover: Blue paper cover with brown cloth spine

Condition: Worn edges with minor discoloration; spine and pages intact despite age

Notable Features: À l’élève (student edition), blue publisher’s stamp, and a whimsical handwritten note found inside

3. Choix de Lettres du XVIIe Siècle (1913)

Published in 1913 by Librairie Hachette et Cie, this literature book introduced students to 17th-century letters to teach classical language, style, and historical context.

Cover: Light green boards with a dark teal cloth spine

Condition: Worn edges and slight creasing; spine remains strong; pages clean with minor foxing

Notable Features: Printed on papier indien (thin, lightweight paper) and contains two pink inserts—one detailing the special paper and the other documenting a 1916 wartime price increase of 20%.