5 - BURY (Richard de)

BURY (Richard de) Paris, Saillant, 1768. History of the Life of Louis XIII, King of France and Navarre. 4 vols. in-12 (16.9 x 9.6 cm), grained calfskin, frames of small gilded motifs on the covers, plain spine decorated with gilt motifs, red title and volume number labels (oval), gilt monogram at the foot of the spines (contemporary binding). [2] ff., xxvi, 1 blank f., 456 p.– [2] ff., 537 p.– [2] ff., 487 p.– [2] ff., 466 p. A precious copy belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine at Malmaison. First edition. This historical work chronicles the reign of the son of Henry IV and Marie de’ Medici, born in 1601 and died in 1643. It covers his accession to the throne, his marriage, his reign, and his relationship with Cardinal Richelieu. In a note to Interior Minister Cretet regarding a new history of France to be written by a state-subsidized author, Napoleon I had stated: “One must be fair to Henry IV, Louis XIII, and Louis XIV, but without being sycophantic.” Bindings bearing the monogram “PB” are generally attributed to Charles-Pierre Bizoulard, a Parisian bookbinder based on Rue des Carmes in Paris. The books remained the property of Prince Eugene after Josephine’s death and were subsequently sold on site in 1829. It was on this occasion that the black-ink stamp “Bibliothèque de la Malmaison” was affixed to the title pages of the volumes. A fine copy. A stain at the bottom of the lower cover and spine of one volume; a small tear at one joint; one cap trim worn down; corners slightly rounded. Slight foxing; an ink stain on a few leaves; traces of glued paper on the last page of the first volume. Pages xxv–xxvi are bound at the beginning of the preface (rather than at the end). Provenance – Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine (monogram “PB” for Pagerie-Bonaparte, wet stamp “Bibliothèque de la Malmaison” on the title pages). – Auction, Fontainebleau, Osenat, November 19, 2016, lot 101. Bibliography OHR, pl. 2653, small-format variant of die no. 3.