10 - MARCILLAC (Louis de)

MARCILLAC (Louis de) Paris, Magimel, 1808. History of the War Between France and Spain During the Years of the French Revolution: 1793, 1794, and Part of 1795. In-8 (20 x 12.4 cm), fawn-colored veal leather with grain, small gilt motifs framing the covers, gilt coat of arms in the center, smooth spine decorated with gilt motifs, red title label (contemporary binding). A rare and valuable copy from the library of Emperor Napoleon I at Fontainebleau. First edition. The work deals with the French campaigns in Guipúzcoa, Navarre, and Biscay, followed by the campaigns in Roussillon and Catalonia during the years of the French Revolution. The subject matter and year of publication make the work particularly interesting in light of its provenance: following the anti-French uprising of May 1808, Napoleon launched a military intervention in Spain. Despite some difficulties, the French army managed to gain the upper hand over the Spanish forces and occupy Madrid. The books from Napoleon’s various libraries were distributed in the same manner at each location, so that he could automatically find his way around and continue reading elsewhere a book he had started in one place. Binding slightly worn: upper cap missing, small tear at one joint with a slight loss, corners rubbed. Half-title page slightly loose. Provenance – The Emperor’s Library at Fontainebleau (red wet stamp). – Bibliothek d. Kön. Cadetten-Haus in Berlin (wet stamp; acquired in 1832, according to a lengthy handwritten note in German on the front endpaper). – Auction, Stockholm, Stockholms Auktionsverk, 1983. Exhibition Skånelaholm Castle 2015. Catalog: *Minnet av Napoleon – 200 år efter Waterloo* [In Memory of Napoleon—200 Years After Waterloo], p. 54. Bibliography OHR, pl. 2652, variant of die no. 7.