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).
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).
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
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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's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
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