Life of Napoleon Bonaparte.

BONAPARTE, Napoleon; Bourrienne.

$15,000.00

Item Number: 147417

London: H. S. Nichols Co., n.d.

The Napoleon Series extra illustrated edition of the Life of Napoleon, limited to five numbered copies of which this is number 2 and extra-illustrated with the addition of 32 documents and a profusion of engraved plates. Octavo, 32 volumes elaborately bound in contemporary blue crushed levant morocco gilt by Erbe, Crombie & Lamothe with a floral and fleur-de-lis motif and red and tan morocco onlays, gilt titles and tooling to the spines in five compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by Erbe, Crombie & Lamothe, navy and red morocco gilt doublures, silk ribbons bound in, top edges gilt. Limited edition, number 2 of 5 numbered copies of the “Extra Illustrated Edition.” The set includes: Hazlitt, William. Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. 12 volumes; Bourrienne, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de (1769-1834). Life Of Napoleon Bonaparte. 8 volumes; Junot, Laure, Duchesse D’abrantes (1784-1838). Memoirs Of Madame Junot. 12 volumes. Extra illustrated by the addition of 32 documents and a profusion of engraved plates. Original documents neatly bound in near the front of each volume, including Napoleonic period documents (ca 1790-1830), including: [Bonaparte, Napoleon (1769-1821)]. Printed document signed (“Bonaparte”), Premier Consul de la Republique Française. N.p, ca 1804-1807. 1 page, folio, on paper with seal. “Au Nom du Peuple Francais,” regarding convening an assembly of the First Consul of the French Republic. With the signatures of Comte de Chanteloup Jean-Antoine Chaptal, (1756-1832), as Minister of the Interior, and Duc de Bessano Hughes-Bernard MARET (1763-1839) as Secretary of State. — Talleyrand-Perigord, Charles-Maurice de (1754-1838). Partially printed accomplished document in manuscript signed (“Charles Maurice”), as Vice-Grand Electeur de l’Empire. N.p., ca after 18 May 1804. 1 page, 4to, on paper with embossed seal design. “Extrait des Minutes de la Secrétairerie D’etat. Décret Imperial,” regarding the electoral college, series No. 3, with the signatures of a “Comte de l’Empire” as the Minister of the Interior, and a “Vu de Grand-Chevalier.” — BONAPARTE, Lucien (1775-1840). Autograph document signed (“L. Bonaparte”), as Commissaire des Guerres. Ajaccio, [Corsica, Italy], 21 Brumaire l’an VI [Tuesday, 11 November 1797]. 1 page, 4to, on his “Liberte. Egalite” letterhead stationery with the engraved symbol of the French Republic, accomplished in manuscript. Regarding orders pertinent to the Liamone Subdivision of the Army of Italy troops. And 29 others. In near fine condition. A stunning set.

French military and political leader Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He won most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, his wars and campaigns are studied at military schools worldwide. He also remains one of the most celebrated and controversial political figures in human history. Based on years of intimate friendship and professional association with Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne's Memoirs of Napoleon gained the author fame upon publication for its vivid and detailed account of his interactions with Napoleon and his extended family. Invigorated by many dialogues, not only in which the author participated but even of conversations that he was only told about by others, the narration offers an intimate portrait of its subject: his brilliance, skill at governance, and military prowess.