Description:

Bonaparte Napoleon 1769 - 1821 Gorgeously illustrated historical atlas from Napoleon's personal library, possibly used in his conquests



Handsome elephant folio illustrated atlas with provenance indicating volume was once in Napoleon's personal library. Atlas entitled "Les Fastes NapolÍ©ens de 1796 Í_ 1806; Atlas Historique, GÍ©nÍ©alogique, Chronologique, et GÍ©ographique", published in 1807 by Emmanuel-Augustin-DieudonnÍ©-Joseph, Comte de Las Cases (1766-1842) under pseudonym A. Le Sage.

Front end papers pencil inscribed "From Napoleon's Library" and "Napoleon's copy atlas". At center, an early typed auction catalog description reads: "766. Le Sage, Atlas, Historique Genealogique, Chronologique, et Geographique, royal fol. cf. gilt leaves, numerous coloured tables, maps, &c. 1807, from Napoleon's Library". With enough research, we feel relatively confident that one could find the original auction return. Volume has been recently rebound, incorporating parts of the original leather gilt embossed covers and spine as well as marbleized end papers. Some of the fragments are lifting and need to be secured. The book is firmly bound, measuring 14.75" x 21" x 1.25". Isolated minor foxing and toning throughout do not blemish the bright colors or detract from the punchy graphics.

The engraved and partly colored title page features Neo-Classical imagery. Two columns draped with acanthus leaf garlands suspending the imperial crown frame the Bonaparte family tree. A triumphant "N" above is partly encircled by stars and an olive wreath. A map of Europe situated at the base of columns recounting Napoleon's recent military victories seems to foreshadow future French territorial aims.

In the volume's preface, Le Sage outlines his intention that this comprehensive atlas be used in the instruction of high school students. The atlas is far from an objective teaching tool, however. The atlas title, translated loosely as "Napoleonic Splendor from 1796 to 1806", aggrandizes the Emperor's glorious military achievements. The brief illustrated history also legitimates Napoleon's imperial expansion by explicitly placing the Emperor among Classical conquerors like Alexander the Great and Hannibal.

The bulk of the volume is dedicated to outlining brief histories of various European nations with timelines and maps. As he flipped through the pages of his personal copy of the reference book, Napoleon might have lingered on pages relating accounts of his conquests in Italy and Germany. An editor's note located in the middle of the atlas explains that later editions now include more detailed maps of Napoleon's 1806 Austerlitz campaign, for example, in response to overwhelming popular demand by atlas subscribers.

When this volume was published, Napoleon (1769-1821) was celebrating his tremendous victory at Austerlitz. "The battle of Austerlitz is the finest of all I have fought", Napoleon boasted. In addition to gaining territory in Germany and Italy, the victory also secured an indemnity of 40,000,000 francs for the empire. Later in 1807, the Russians requested an armistice with the formidable emperor following their defeat at the Battle of Friedland. Napoleon could have consulted the pages of this atlas to chart future military strategies or perhaps revel in his past achievements.

Le Comte de Las Cases is celebrated not only for editing this atlas, but also because he spent eighteen months recording his conversations with Napoleon on the island of Saint Helena. The two discussed the French Revolution, military strategy, and philosophy among many other topics. De Las Cases was removed from the island after he publically complained that the emperor was being mistreated in captivity, and his manuscript recording the imperial conversations was confiscated by the British. After Napoleon's death, De Las Cases retrieved the manuscript, which was later published in an extremely popular volume, MÍ©morial de Sainte-HÍ©lÍÎne (1823).

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