185 - MASSON, Frédéric.

MASSON, Frédéric. [MANUSCRIPT of "Napoleon on Saint Helena"]. No place, no publisher (ca. 1910–1912). 2 large oblong in-8 volumes. Green morocco leather on the covers, decorated with a double-framed motif featuring Greek and neoclassical designs; embossed with Empire-style motifs of a crowned “N” and an eagle; spine with raised bands accented by a Greek-motif roulette pattern; compartments adorned with volutes and bees, guilloché caps, dotted lines on the edges, inner covers of garnet-colored moiré tabis framed by a neoclassical garland and gilded scrollwork (a few small stains, very slight wear on the bindings). Description: Complete manuscript of *Napoleon on Saint Helena*, in the hand of Frédéric Masson. Written in violet ink on oblong graph-paper sheets, all mounted on tabs. The manuscript covers half a page on the recto side; the other half is left blank, though sometimes contains annotations and corrections, with approximately 17 lines per page across several hundred folios. Bound in the early 20th century in neoclassical-style morocco leather. Beautiful, legible, and clear handwriting, with erasures, corrections, and annotations. *Napoleon on Saint Helena* was published in 1912, notably in an illustrated two-volume edition by Goupil, Manzi, and Joyant, alongside the Ollendorff edition. A signed and dated gift inscription from Frédéric Masson in Volume I, dated February 11, 1914: “From this book, which I tore from my heart and which I wished to remain impassive and serene, I offer the manuscript to my excellent friend Mich. [Manri] as a token of trust and affection.” Very good overall condition except for a few small stains and very slight wear on the slipcases.