6 - FIANDO (Paul Joseph Louis Marie)

FIANDO (Paul Joseph Louis Marie) Turin, Fea Press, Year 9 [1801].. Accounts of the number of coins issued to officers of all ranks [·…]. Pet. in-4 (23.2 x 17.2 cm), red long-grain morocco, gilt frieze borders on the covers, the inscription “present” in gilt letters in the center of the covers, plain spine decorated with gilt motifs, green title label, gilt edges (contemporary binding). A precious volume from the collection of Joséphine Bonaparte. First edition of this collection of military accounts, dedicated to General Bonaparte. In his dedication to the General, the author, a certain Fiando, recounts the vicissitudes of his participation in the Italian campaigns. In particular, he had been accused of embezzling funds intended to pay soldiers’ wages and, as a result, imprisoned at the Castle of Brescia. The end of the book contains supporting documents intended to exonerate him of the charges brought against him. Beyond its narrative, the work also marks a milestone in the military expansion and unification driven by the Consulate following the Revolution, as the amounts detailed are expressed in francs, accompanied by conversion tables. Although the book is dedicated to General Bonaparte, this particular copy was given to Josephine, with the inscription in gold lettering on the covers: “To Madame Josephine Bonaparte, wife of the First Consul.” It was subsequently acquired by Sir Woodbine Parish (1796–1882), who took up his first diplomatic post in 1814 and played a role in the events following Waterloo. The following year, he took part in the expedition aimed at restoring the crown of the Kingdom of Naples to the House of Bourbon, following the defeat of Joachim Murat. He was subsequently sent to Paris as secretary to Lord Caslereigh’s embassy for the restoration of peace in Europe. In that capacity, he drafted the 1815 Peace Treaty. Edges and corners slightly rubbed. Provenance – Woodbine Parish (handwritten note on the reverse of the first colored endpaper: “Bought by Woodbine Parish at the sale of some books belonging to Bonaparte, Paris, September 1815”). – Louis Barthou (bookplate). – Calvin Bullock (bookplate). – The Aristophil Collections, auction in Paris, Drouot estimate, April 5, 2019, lot 1555.