Découvertes Gallimard

editorial collection of illustrated, pocket-sized books on a variety of subjects

Key facts

Edited by: Pierre Marchand , Élisabeth de Farcy , Paule du Bouchet
Translator: Ruth Sharman , Paul G. Bahn , et al.
Illustrator: Dominique Thibault , Jean-Olivier Héron [ fr ] , for pré-générique only (first 2 volumes), et al.
Cover artist: David Roberts , Roland Cat , et al.
Country: France
Language: French ; some titles originally published in Dutch , English , German and Italian
Genre: Encyclopaedia , humanities
Publisher: FR: Éditions Gallimard , UK: Thames & Hudson , US: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 1986–present
Published in english: UK & US: 1992–2008
Media type: Print ( paperback ) & e-book for iPad
No of books

Article

Découvertes Gallimard ( French: [dekuvɛʁt ɡalimaːʁ], lit. 'Gallimard Discoveries'; in United Kingdom: New Horizons, in United States: Abrams Discoveries) is an editorial collection of illustrated monographic books published by the Éditions Gallimard in pocket format. The books are concise introductions to particular subjects, written by experts and intended for a general audience.

Created in the style of livre d'art, the collection is based on an abundant pictorial documentation and a way of bringing together visual documents and texts, enhanced by printing on coated paper, as commented in L'Express, "genuine monographs, published like art books". Its creator—Pierre Marchand the "iconophile", as remarked by the German graphic designer Raymond Stoffel—was instrumental in moulding the policy and ideals of the collection, which was an immediate success both in France and internationally.