86. NORVINS Jacques Marquets de, Histoire de Napoléon (...).
Paris 1850, Fourne et Wspólnic, 2 k. + IV p. +572 pp. +27 pl. +1 map.
Twentieth anniversary edition of a beautifully illustrated edition (original in 1827) of the work of Jacques Marquet Montbreton (1769-1854), Baron of Norvins, French politician and writer. The story of Napoleon Bonaparte begins with a description of Corsica during his childhood and ends with a will written just before his death on the island of St. Helena. The work is illustrated by the famous painter and printmaker Denis Auguste Raffet (1804-1860). The work contains a total of 27 full-page engravings. These include portraits of Napoleon as a child, first consul and emperor. In addition, there are numerous portraits of Napoleon's family and scenes of battles and historical events, such as the crossing of the Niemen River in 1812. One engraving with the Imperial Guard colored in the period. In addition, several hundred smaller illustrations in the text. At the end is a large-format colored fold-out map, with all of Napoleon's expeditions, including St. Helena. One of the most illustrated 19th century histories of Napoleon. The only piece of this edition available on the antiquarian market is priced at $400.
Binding from the first half of the 20th century, gilt burgundy half leather in db condition with minimal rubbing and loss, especially at the corners and edges; spine embossed and gilded with title; page edges gilded at top; interior in db condition; occasional stains, but dry; engravings in db and bdb condition, map in bdb; overall db condition.
