Livre de Sainte Helene

RARE WORK FROM NAPOLEON'S LIBRARY AT SAINT HELENA Pierre-Joseph d'ORLÉANS called the Father of Orleans. History of the Revolutions of England since the beginning of the monarchy. At The Hague, Isaac van der Kloot, 1729. 3 volumes in one volume, in-4, frontispiece and engraved vignette to the title, full brown calf, spine ribbed with double gilt fillets, red edges, red morocco title-piece (period binding). Spine rebound, some spotting; without the portraits. The first three volumes of this vast history of the English Revolutions composed by Father d'Orléans, a work that was particularly appreciated by his contemporaries and republished during the Revolution. The work is adorned here with a beautiful frontispiece by Debrie, summarizing the historian's purpose: Religion establishes a throne, Faithfulness leads on this throne a king to whom Justice shows the laws of the Kingdom that the king touches with his scepter (...) In the sinking, the Revolt, the Treason, the Envy, the Cruelty &c. overthrow a throne, break a crown, massacre a bishop with his crook. Precious work from Napoleon's last library, given to the Emperor by Lady Holland (1771-1845). It bears on the top of the title page the eagle stamp of Napoleon's library at Longwood. This stamp, now kept at Malmaison, was made and affixed by Bertrand to all the works received at St. Helena. The back cover bears the armorial bookplate of Lord & Lady Holland at Holland House, fierce opponents of the Emperor's exile from 1816. The famous Lady Holland, who had a real admiration for Napoleon, is known to have given her support and sent many books that completed the Emperor's library on St. Helena. This book is a wink from her, reminding us that a revolution in England or France was still quite plausible, and could reverse the course of history. It is also known that Napoleon appreciated this work, having owned it at Malmaison (according to a copy with the figure "PB", sold at the time of the succession of 1829, former collection Catinat). Several considerations on the English Revolution of 1688, the character and the death of King Charles I are to be found, notably in a long reflection of the Emperor recorded in the Memorial of St. Helena on 5 May 1816. A large part of the Emperor's personal library on St. Helena was dispersed in 1822, on the orders of Governor Hudson Lowe, as indicated here by a handwritten label in English, placed under the ex-libris of Lord Holland: "Bought at the sale of the books which had been used by Napoleon at St. Helena and sold by English Gvt". Provenance - Library of Elizabeth (1771-1845) & Henry (1773-1840) Vassall Fox, Baron and Baroness Holland. - Emperor Napoleon's library at St. Helena. - Sale of the books of the Emperor's library on St. Helena, 1822. - Private collection.