NAPOLÉON IER

First edition.
Bound in green half shagreen, spines with five raised bands ruled in black and decorated with gilt floral tools, gilt names of a former owner at foot of spines, marbled paper boards, comb-marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers bound in.
Some occasional foxing, minor rubbing to two upper corners, and light surface wear to a few boards without affecting the integrity of the binding.
Contemporary ink ownership inscriptions at the head of the wrappers, with blind collector's stamps on the endpapers.

A handsome set of these important memoirs from the Napoleonic era.
 

Extremely rare printing by Fauvelle, official printer for the Tribunaux de la Seine, contemporary and textually identical to the octavo and quarto editions by the Imprimerie de la République. Only four copies with Fauvelle's imprint in OCLC (BnF, National Library of Spain, Royal Danish Library, Stadtbibliothek Worms).

Bradel-style binding in full marbled paper boards, flat spine with red roan label, light foxing to the first three leaves.

First version of the Napoleonic Code, presented by the four members of Bonaparte's commission appointed to draft the civil code. Also contains the important “Preliminary Address to the First Draft of the Civil Code,” outlining the influences and objectives behind this landmark work - the first modern legal code to be widely adopted in Europe, which influenced the codes of jurisdictions all over the world.

A very rare first edition of 15 lithographed views in bistre tint, mounted in an accordion pleat, forming a panorama of 6.75 ft and showing the Parisian procession of the return of Napoleon's mortal remains (his "ashes" used here as a metaphor since he was not cremated). The parade started from the Arc de Triomphe to his resting place in Invalides. In the lower margin, the caption presents the different groups forming the procession: Ajaccio delegation, Paris Municipal Council, Prince of Joinville Commission of Saint-Helena...in the centre of the panorama stands the spectacular funeral car. Without mention of the publisher, this impressive document was undoubtedly printed by Aubert, famous publisher of Parisian panoramas published during the same era and also illustrated by Adrien Provost.
Publisher's half cloth black Bradel binding, goffered silk boards framed with double gilt fillets, the first with the gilt title “convoi de l'Empereur” stamped in the centre.
“In the distance is seen, in the mist and the sunlight, against the grey and russet background of the trees in the Champs-élysées, beyond the great white phantom-like statues, a kind of golden mountain slowly moving. All that can be distinguished of it as yet is a sort of luminous glistening, which makes now stars, now lightening sparkle over the whole surface of the car. A mighty roar follows this apparition. It would seem as though this car draws after it the acclamation of the whole city, as a torch draws after it its smoke. (Victor Hugo, Choses Vues, “15 décembre 1840. Funérailles de l'Empereur. Notes prises sur place.”)

First edition printed in very small numbers on laid paper, in original waiting wrappers.
Rare commemorative verse pamphlet commissioned by Emperor Napoleon I.
Our copy is complete with the hors texte engraving depicting the pyramid of Ivry.
Some foxing, dampstain at head affecting the first leaves, retaining its deckled edges.

First edition. Work illustrated with sketches by the author and 2 portraits.
Spine cracked, small corner losses to boards, light marginal dampstains affecting some pages.

Second edition.
A good and rare copy.

First edition printed in 500 numbered copies initialed by the author.
Author's inscription.
Additionally, our copy is enriched with an autograph letter addressed to the same recipient.Illustrations.
Small tears to the unlettered spine, otherwise a handsome copy.
Rare.

First edition. Play presented in its original silent wrappers.
Covers detached, first cover with a central stain, some foxing.
Author's name and work title inscribed in pen on an endpaper.
Rare.

First edition.
Autograph inscription from the author.
Two small insignificant stains on the first cover, a tiny lack on the second cover, some light foxing to interior.
Rare.