Le Royaume de l'Air

Le Royaume de l'Air
by L. de Saint-Fégor
Adopted for Conservation by
Craig and Barbara Barrett
in honor of Lyda Hill
on December 15, 2020
Cover illustration

Le royaume de l'air : ouvrage illustré de 120 gravures et photographies documentaires

By L. de Saint-Fégor. Paris: Société d'édition et de publications, 1909.

Le Royaume de l'Air, or the “Kingdom of the Air,” was published in Paris in 1909, during the first decade of machine-powered aircraft flight. It was written for young readers and includes plentiful illustrations and photographs documenting the historical development of aeronautics and contemporary innovations in this new technology. There are very few copies in libraries, and the Smithsonian is fortunate to have two in its collection. This copy is in need of extensive preservation treatment.

Condition and Treatment: 

This early 20th-century publisher's binding has an elaborately printed cover featuring dirigibles and a gargoyle. The spine is cracked in half, and the upper third is detached. The adhesive on the spine is failing, which is causing the textblock to separate. The front and back covers are loose. Conservators will remove the covers and clean and reline the spine. The case will be repaired and the textblock recased into the repaired cover.

Discover more about this book in our Catalog.

Adoption Type: Preserve for the Future