Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
137
Very rare hand-colored lithographs of the life of Napoleon, in an excellent contemporary binding
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
ARNAULT, A.V.
Vie politique et militaire de Napoléon. Ouvrage orné de Planches lithographique, d'aprés les dessins des premiers Peintres de l'Ecole Française. Paris: Librairie Historique, 1826. Contemporary red straight-grained morocco with the arms of Napoleon I on both covers, outer gilt borders, and a crowned "N" device at the corners, spine gilt in compartments with the crowned "N" and Napleonic eagle, green silk endleaves, all edges gilt, 15 7/8 x 20 3/4 inches (40.5 x 52.75 cm). 132 full-page lithographs, all hand-colored. Binding expertly rebacked, rubbed at the edges with a small scuff to the upper cover and a small dark stain to the lower cover. Title page neatly trimmed and mounted to fit the oblong format. The Earl of Rosebery ink-stamp on several leaves; insignificant marginal repairs to four plates, plate 39 with two early repairs to the image and with color staining the margin, plates 92 amd 107 with neat repairs to the image. Some occasional minor foxing throughout. Overall, a bright and attractive copy.
A very rare hand-colored copy in an excellent contemporary binding. The lithographs show details from every period of Napoleon's life, from his youth, to his military and political successees, and finally to his defeat, capture, death, and funeral. The armorial device on the binding is identical to Hermal, Olivier, & De Roton, Manuel de l'amateur de Reliures amoriees francaises (1933) 2562, fers 9. This same tool can be found on bindings from Napoleon's personal library, so it's possible that this binding was produced by a binder close to Napoleon's circle. We trace only one other hand-colored copy, bound similarly, sold by Christies in 2023.
Provenance: Archibald Philip Primrose, Fifth Earl of Rosebery (1847-1929), his sale, Sotheby's 24 July 1933, lot 1490c; Giorgio Fumach (bookplate).
$20,000 - $30,000
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
ARNAULT, A.V.
Vie politique et militaire de Napoléon. Ouvrage orné de Planches lithographique, d'aprés les dessins des premiers Peintres de l'Ecole Française. Paris: Librairie Historique, 1826. Contemporary red straight-grained morocco with the arms of Napoleon I on both covers, outer gilt borders, and a crowned "N" device at the corners, spine gilt in compartments with the crowned "N" and Napleonic eagle, green silk endleaves, all edges gilt, 15 7/8 x 20 3/4 inches (40.5 x 52.75 cm). 132 full-page lithographs, all hand-colored. Binding expertly rebacked, rubbed at the edges with a small scuff to the upper cover and a small dark stain to the lower cover. Title page neatly trimmed and mounted to fit the oblong format. The Earl of Rosebery ink-stamp on several leaves; insignificant marginal repairs to four plates, plate 39 with two early repairs to the image and with color staining the margin, plates 92 amd 107 with neat repairs to the image. Some occasional minor foxing throughout. Overall, a bright and attractive copy.
A very rare hand-colored copy in an excellent contemporary binding. The lithographs show details from every period of Napoleon's life, from his youth, to his military and political successees, and finally to his defeat, capture, death, and funeral. The armorial device on the binding is identical to Hermal, Olivier, & De Roton, Manuel de l'amateur de Reliures amoriees francaises (1933) 2562, fers 9. This same tool can be found on bindings from Napoleon's personal library, so it's possible that this binding was produced by a binder close to Napoleon's circle. We trace only one other hand-colored copy, bound similarly, sold by Christies in 2023.
Provenance: Archibald Philip Primrose, Fifth Earl of Rosebery (1847-1929), his sale, Sotheby's 24 July 1933, lot 1490c; Giorgio Fumach (bookplate).
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Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10am
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Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle is pleased to present The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10am. This extensive and fascinating collection offers a diverse selection of books, manuscripts and original illustration art.
In time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer, the collection is heavily focused on Americana and military history. Highlights include a rare copy of Historich-genealogischer Calender, the 1784 almanac printed in Germany featuring the first published representation of the American flag along with portraits of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Other highlights in Americana include a fine copy of The American Military Pocket Atlas, 1776, George Kendall’s 1851 The War Between the United States and Mexico illustrated and the very rare Uniform and Dress of the Army of the Confederate States printed in Richmond in 1862. The collection is very rich in color plate and military costume books including a stunning hand-colored copy of Arnault’s Vie politique et militaire de Napoléon and Rattray’s The Costumes of the Various Tribes, Portraits of Ladies of Rank, Celebrated Princes and Chiefs, views of the principal fortresses and cities, and interior of the cities and temples of Afghaunistan. A wonderful offering is Paul Christian Kirchner’s Jüdisches Ceremoniel from 1734, with finely hand-colored engravings of Jewish life.
The collection offers many interesting signed books of general interest, ranging from P.T. Barnum to Leon Trotsky to Jimmy Hoffa and books relating to the Harlem Renaissance and New York nightlife such as signed copy in dust jacket of Al Hirschfeld’s Manhattan Oases. Original artwork includes drawings by Thomas Rowlandson, Heath Robinson, and others. Objects include an interesting assortment from an 18th century pocket globe to a fine Italian made stereo-viewer to WWII era binoculars.
With over 200 lots of antiquarian interest, The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile offers something to please new and seasoned collectors alike.
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