Andorra - Lot 196

Andorra BRUNON (Raoul), Dr An excursion to the valley of Andorra. Rouen, imp. Cagniard, 1889. In-4, 21pp. Autograph letter from the author. Printed bookplate Alain Bourneton. ½ modern Bradel-style caramel morocco, long gilt title on spine, publisher's beige cover retained. A fine copy. Very rare publication, unknown in bibliographies on Andorra; no copy is listed in the Catalogue collectif de France. Extract from Bulletin de la Société Normande de Géographie. Approach and historical perspective on the Val d'Andorra. Text of a conference relating a nine-day trip to Andorra by Dr. Brunon and two of his Catalan friends, Messrs. Vernis (from Bourgmadame) and Lafabrègue (from Prades). The journey starts in Bourgmadame, passes through Bellver, Montella, Puentede-Bar, arriving on the first evening at the Plaine d'Urgell. The next day, they set off for San-Julia-de-Loria and then Andorra la Vella; after a night in a posada, they visited the President of the Republic of Andorra, who showed them around the "Palace of the Valleys" and explained the country's political structure. After two days' rest, they head for Saldeo via Les Escaldes and Hix. The next day, the three travelers set off for L'Hospitalet, but an incident forced them to turn back and retrace their route in the opposite direction, returning to Bourgmadame four days later. The evenings spent in the posadas give the narrator an opportunity to observe Andorran customs, and he expands at length on the situation of women in these regions. The story is skilfully constructed and is a document of the way of life in Andorra at the end of the 19th century.