La lanterne magique. Histoire de Napoléon

First illustrated edition with 50 vignettes by Charles Jacque. Chronological table at end.
Half red straight-grained morocco binding, late 19th or early 20th century. Raised-band spine decorated with 4 fleurons and roll-tooling on bands and headcaps. Top edge gilt. Original wrappers preserved. Front wrapper with restorations. Uncut throughout, full-margined, of superb freshness.
Very handsome copy. Rare in this condition.
Popular and entertaining history of Napoleon. In narrative form, the narrator tells how as a child, he witnessed the arrival of two soldiers who, by means of a magic lantern, recounted Napoleon's story to him. The vignettes thus correspond to the magic lantern projections. Soulié's narrative was later included in a compilation in 1854 under the title: Droll Stories of Napoleon. In Soulié's narrative, the romantic myth of Napoleon unfolds vividly, along with the ideal he represented for the romantic generation.