FRENCH HISTORY

Four Centuries of French History. A Collection of Autographs

      (FRENCH HISTORY) (ROYALTY). Four Centuries of French History. A Collection of Autographs. 1461-1848. No place, 1461-1848. Folio, contemporary full green morocco gilt sympathetically rebacked, raised bands, top edge gilt, raised bands, watered silk endpapers. $25,000. Rare, privately published 19th-century autograph collection containing numerous tipped-in court documents (some folding), a unique collection of French monarchical autograph leaves, most signed by French kings-from Louis XI to Napoleon III-as well as Catherine de Medici, Marie Antoinette, Josephine and others, in a sumptuous binding of gilt-stamped morocco and featuring over 40 full-page steel-engraved portraits of the monarchs. This unique and outstanding autograph volume, bound in rich morocco and watered silk, contains a fascinating contemporary documentation of French monarchical history from the mid-15th century through the 19th-century reign of Napoleon III. Found within are over 40 tipped-in and inlaid steel-engraved plates (several in color) of French kings and queens, most accompanied by signed autograph leaves of court documents in manuscript hand, signed by the monarchs, each offering rare insight into royal appointments, important financial, judicial and military decisions, and the preparation of elaborate court festivities. Included are engraved plates of: Louis XI, Louis XII, Charles VIII, François I, Henry II, Catherine de Medici, Francis II, Charles IX, Henry III, Henry IV, Anne of Austria, Louis XIII, Marie de Medici, Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Louis XVII, Napoléon Bonaparte, Marie-Louise, Louis XVIII, Charles X, Louis-Philippe d'Orleans and Napoleon III. The large tipped-in autograph leaves that accompany the engraved plates-most in ornate manuscript hand on vellum or court stationary-include significant documents signed (most dated in manuscript or indicated with lightly penciled annotations) by: Louis XI (1461), Louis XII (1503), Charles VIII (1496), François I (1531), Henry II (1549), Catherine de Medici (1564), Francis II (1559), Charles IX (two autograph leaves: 1572, 1568), Henry III (1568, before his ascension), Henry IV (1604), Anne of Austria, Louis XIII (1624), Marie de Medici (1617), Louis XIV (1711, along with tipped-in postage stamp), Louis XV (two autograph leaves: 1745, 1731), Louis XVI (1787), Marie Antoinette (Versailles, 1783), Napoléon Bonaparte (1803), Josephine (1799), Marie-Louise (1815), Louis XVIII (1795), Charles X (1816), Louis-Philippe d'Orleons (1836) and Napoleon III (1865). With documents signed by Louis XVI, Napoléon Bonaparte and Marie-Louise appearing to be secretarial. From the autograph collection of Dr. Max Thorek, who founded the International College of Surgeons in 1935, with his small inkstamp. Light scattered foxing, occasionally lightly affecting plates, some documents with expert archival repair. Generally excellent condition and beautifully bound.