Histoire du royaume de Naples, depuis Charles VII jusqu'à Ferdinand IV. 1734 à 1825

First French edition, rare, translated by Charles Lefèvre from the fourth edition.
Contemporary full raspberry sheep. Smooth spines decorated with three compartments and fillets. Titles and volume numbers gilt. Large floral panel stamped in blind on covers. Gilt fillet border. One small wormhole to upper joint at tail of volume 3. Light rubbing to headcaps and some joints. Some scattered foxing on paper that remains white. Handsome copy, rare in full binding and in this condition.
From 1799 to 1825, Colletta was both a witness and an actor in all the Neapolitan revolutions. He thus adhered to the new government as soon as the French founded a new republic in Naples in 1799. As soon as Ferdinand IV had reconquered the city, he was thrown in prison. In 1806 the Bourbons were again thrown from the throne and Joseph Bonaparte settled in Naples. Colletta was then reinstated to his rank. In 1812, he was promoted to general and director of roads and bridges. He served under Murat's orders and fought the Austrians in 1815. During the Revolution of 1820, he was called by the king as advisor, and again fought the Austrians in 1821. When autocracy was restored, he was imprisoned for 3 months and escaped execution thanks to Austrian intervention. Colletta then knew exile and was permitted to reside in Florence where he wrote his History of Naples. This takes its place in European history.