Havana morocco desk pad, stamped on the first cover with the Second Empire coat of arms, decorated at all four corners with bees and edged with a triple border. Inside, the back of the first cover is sheathed in violet moire and inlaid with an engraving reading "A Sa Majesté l'Impératrice Eugénie, hommage profondément respectueux, du corps municipal de Paris, 16 Mars 1857". On the back of the second cover, four corners in purple morocco, holding a blotter, one of the corners adorned with a bee with small iron "fête de la naissance du Prince Impérial 16 mars 1857". Second corner decorated with N under crown and bees. 3rd and 4th corners decorated with bees. Inscriptions on the blotter. Second Empire period. 45.5x36.5cm. Traces of wear, stains, scratches.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.