GONCOURT, Edmond de and GONCOURT, Jules de. History of French society during the Revolution. Published in Paris by Maison Quantin in 1889. In-4, red half-chagrin with corners, smooth spine decorated with cold filets, gilt filets and dotted lines, authors and title in gold lettering. 374 pages, 44 hors-texte plates, including 9 in color, some on double page. Spine slightly oiled, minor rubbing to headpieces, spine in the process of coming apart (fragile seams to first cover). Very rare and minute spotting. First illustrated edition of this history of French society, published by the Goncourt brothers to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. The iconography consists of 44 plates, including 9 in color, featuring objects, documents, paintings, engravings, etc. Engraved bookplate of Théo Koerper on the flyleaf. A fragile but elegant copy of this illustrated study by the Goncourt brothers, whose ambition was to "paint France, its mores, souls, national physiognomy, the color of things, life & humanity from 1789 to 1800".