Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
85
Striking watercolors of daily life in Imperial Russia, with intense punishment scenes
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[RUSSIA]
Recueil de differens usages de l'Empire de Russie: Peints sur les lieux par Madame ***. [Possibly Saint Petersburg, circa 1730]. Manuscript on paper. Contemporary red morocco, spine tooled in gilt with a green leather lettering piece, all edges gilt, 8 3/4 x 7 inches (22.5 x 18 cm); 72 ink and watercolor drawings heightened with gold, each with a caption in French, two with an additional caption in Russian. Binding rubbed at extremities, both joints somewhat tender. The spine is beginning to flake, with some loss at the head and tail. Light dustsoiling throughout. Some of the drawings have slight surface wear and paint beginning to crack. Most leaves bear barely visible traces of earlier captions, possibly in Russian, erased and overwritten. An earlier owner has excised one leaf from the section on everyday scenes.
A fascinating album depicting daily life in the early years of the Russian Empire, comprising 19 drawings of religious subjects, 17 drawings of military uniforms, 4 drawings of court attendants, 16 drawings of everyday scenes and costumes (formerly 17), 10 drawings of punishments, and 6 drawings of the Imperial regalia. Included are portraits of Orthodox clergy and members of monastic orders, an Old Believer, officers and soldiers, and members of the Imperial household including an African servant. The book also depicts folk costumes and aspects of daily life including a bathhouse, various vehicles, and acrobats using a seesaw. The depictions of punishment and torture are especially striking and represent an aspect of Russian society that was an object of sensationalism and fascination in the West. These punishments include a Catherine wheel, beheadings, floggings, and hangings.
We trace an album at the Archives du the Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres et Europennes in Paris (probably their shelfmark 43MD/8.—(RUSSIE, 8.)—1731.—"Relation de la Moscovie en l'année 1731, par M. le duc de Liria, ambassadueur de S.M.C. a Saint-Pétersbourg durant troise années") that has at least three illustrations bearing a very close resemblance to three in the present album, "Un des colonels du corps des Strelitz en habit d'ordionnance," "Supplice du grand knout," and "Supplice des battocs." Our album, then, may have some relation to the entourage of James Francis Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick, 2nd Duke of Liria and Xérica, who served as Spanish ambassador to Russia under Emperor Peter II from 1726 to 1730. Interestingly, most leaves bear traces of earlier captions, possibly in Russian, suggesting that these drawings cold be the work of a Russian workshop producing souvenirs for visitors.
Please contact the books department for a full listing of the contents.
Provenance: Sotheby's, 11 October 1976, lot 90.
Amendment June 22: Please note that an earlier owner has removed one leaf from the section on everyday scenes.
Sold for $16,640
Estimated at $5,000 - $7,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[RUSSIA]
Recueil de differens usages de l'Empire de Russie: Peints sur les lieux par Madame ***. [Possibly Saint Petersburg, circa 1730]. Manuscript on paper. Contemporary red morocco, spine tooled in gilt with a green leather lettering piece, all edges gilt, 8 3/4 x 7 inches (22.5 x 18 cm); 72 ink and watercolor drawings heightened with gold, each with a caption in French, two with an additional caption in Russian. Binding rubbed at extremities, both joints somewhat tender. The spine is beginning to flake, with some loss at the head and tail. Light dustsoiling throughout. Some of the drawings have slight surface wear and paint beginning to crack. Most leaves bear barely visible traces of earlier captions, possibly in Russian, erased and overwritten. An earlier owner has excised one leaf from the section on everyday scenes.
A fascinating album depicting daily life in the early years of the Russian Empire, comprising 19 drawings of religious subjects, 17 drawings of military uniforms, 4 drawings of court attendants, 16 drawings of everyday scenes and costumes (formerly 17), 10 drawings of punishments, and 6 drawings of the Imperial regalia. Included are portraits of Orthodox clergy and members of monastic orders, an Old Believer, officers and soldiers, and members of the Imperial household including an African servant. The book also depicts folk costumes and aspects of daily life including a bathhouse, various vehicles, and acrobats using a seesaw. The depictions of punishment and torture are especially striking and represent an aspect of Russian society that was an object of sensationalism and fascination in the West. These punishments include a Catherine wheel, beheadings, floggings, and hangings.
We trace an album at the Archives du the Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres et Europennes in Paris (probably their shelfmark 43MD/8.—(RUSSIE, 8.)—1731.—"Relation de la Moscovie en l'année 1731, par M. le duc de Liria, ambassadueur de S.M.C. a Saint-Pétersbourg durant troise années") that has at least three illustrations bearing a very close resemblance to three in the present album, "Un des colonels du corps des Strelitz en habit d'ordionnance," "Supplice du grand knout," and "Supplice des battocs." Our album, then, may have some relation to the entourage of James Francis Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick, 2nd Duke of Liria and Xérica, who served as Spanish ambassador to Russia under Emperor Peter II from 1726 to 1730. Interestingly, most leaves bear traces of earlier captions, possibly in Russian, suggesting that these drawings cold be the work of a Russian workshop producing souvenirs for visitors.
Please contact the books department for a full listing of the contents.
Provenance: Sotheby's, 11 October 1976, lot 90.
Amendment June 22: Please note that an earlier owner has removed one leaf from the section on everyday scenes.
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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