186 - MURAOUR (E.)

MURAOUR (E.) Triumphs of the Empire. Paris: Lebigre-Duquesne frères, [1861–] 1862. Small 16mo, paperback; illustrated publisher’s cover, printed in black, blue, and red; title on spine. A work celebrating the military campaigns and victories of the Second Empire, notably in the Crimea, Italy, China, and Syria—subtitles that also appear in the cover’s design. A contemporary bibliographic source lists it under this title and includes these four campaigns. The text is illustrated with numerous woodcuts, notably portraits of military figures and dignitaries of the Second Empire. A portrait of Marshal Niel is reproduced in this copy. Very interesting original illustrated color cover, particularly evocative of the patriotic iconography of the Second Empire, featuring the imperial eagle, a crown, tricolor flags, and laurel wreaths. An old library stamp on the half-title page. Copy in its original paperback binding. Cover and spine are worn, with scuffing, creases, small tears, and paper loss at the top and bottom edges and corners; some foxing and soiling inside. Nevertheless, the book is well-preserved overall, given the fragility of this type of popular paperback binding.