May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
55
A monumental set of Napoleon's correspondence
[FINE BINDING – NAPOLEON]
[BONAPARTE, NAPOLÉON]. Correspondance de Napoléon Ier publiée par ordre de l'Empereur Napoléon III. Paris: Imprimerie Imperiale, 1858-1869. First edition, complete with thirty-two volumes, laid in letter dated Febuary 1868 addressed to "Citoyen Lyautey," likely Just Lyautey, the son of General Hubert Joseph Lyautey, signed by Count Pierre-Nicolas Rapetti, the secretary of the offical commission that was charged with the publication of this set. Contemporary red leather spine with red cloth boards, spines gilt lettered and ruled.12 x 9 inches (30.5 x 23 cm). Varying amounts of wear to bindings, with light rubbing and wear to extremities throughought, occasional wear at headcaps, six volumes with water-staining to bindings, some cracked or starting hinges, contents with varying amounts of pale spotting, from quite light to moderate, large dampstain to some of the volumes, at least one volume with mold in the dampstain, bookplate from the "Bibliothque du General Lyautey," apparently Hubert Joseph Lyautey, manuscript annotations in volume I stating that the set belonged to author Jean Dutord, the set is sold as is.
This monumental collection of over twenty-two thousand letters by Napoléon, as well as orders, bulletins and decrees, was commissioned by Napoléon III in 1858 and took eleven years to produce. The project's goal was both to resurrect the history of the First Empire for the public of the Second Empire, and to legitimize the actions taken by the Emperor. The commission charged with the project was intitally directed by Achille Fould and was later taken over by Prince Napoléon, popularly known as "Plon-Plon." Volumes XXIX to XXXII, the final four volumes, contain the works written by Napoleon during his exile on Saint Helena, here published in their entirety for the second time. This copy contains the a bookplate from the Library of Napoleonic general Hubert Joseph Lyautey (1789-1867), and contains a letter from the commission's secretary addressed to his son, Just Lyautey. The letter is dated 1868, thus soon after the general's death, and addresses a pause in printing accorded by Prince Napoleon, and the publication of the set from Volume XXIII on.
[FINE BINDING – NAPOLEON]
[BONAPARTE, NAPOLÉON]. Correspondance de Napoléon Ier publiée par ordre de l'Empereur Napoléon III. Paris: Imprimerie Imperiale, 1858-1869. First edition, complete with thirty-two volumes, laid in letter dated Febuary 1868 addressed to "Citoyen Lyautey," likely Just Lyautey, the son of General Hubert Joseph Lyautey, signed by Count Pierre-Nicolas Rapetti, the secretary of the offical commission that was charged with the publication of this set. Contemporary red leather spine with red cloth boards, spines gilt lettered and ruled.12 x 9 inches (30.5 x 23 cm). Varying amounts of wear to bindings, with light rubbing and wear to extremities throughought, occasional wear at headcaps, six volumes with water-staining to bindings, some cracked or starting hinges, contents with varying amounts of pale spotting, from quite light to moderate, large dampstain to some of the volumes, at least one volume with mold in the dampstain, bookplate from the "Bibliothque du General Lyautey," apparently Hubert Joseph Lyautey, manuscript annotations in volume I stating that the set belonged to author Jean Dutord, the set is sold as is.
This monumental collection of over twenty-two thousand letters by Napoléon, as well as orders, bulletins and decrees, was commissioned by Napoléon III in 1858 and took eleven years to produce. The project's goal was both to resurrect the history of the First Empire for the public of the Second Empire, and to legitimize the actions taken by the Emperor. The commission charged with the project was intitally directed by Achille Fould and was later taken over by Prince Napoléon, popularly known as "Plon-Plon." Volumes XXIX to XXXII, the final four volumes, contain the works written by Napoleon during his exile on Saint Helena, here published in their entirety for the second time. This copy contains the a bookplate from the Library of Napoleonic general Hubert Joseph Lyautey (1789-1867), and contains a letter from the commission's secretary addressed to his son, Just Lyautey. The letter is dated 1868, thus soon after the general's death, and addresses a pause in printing accorded by Prince Napoleon, and the publication of the set from Volume XXIII on.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
