Hazlitt, William ("Life"); Bourrienne, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de ("Memoirs"); Junot, Laure, Duchess of Abrante (Her "Memoirs")

Napoleon Bonaparte [Empire Edition]

New York: The Grolier Society (The Colonial Press), n.d. Hardcover. Sixteen volumes (complete), quarto size, approx. 5500 total pp. Very good. Item #33331136

This set a comprehensive look at the life of the still-famous French general, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). It is a compilation of the work of the above three authors: Hazlitt authored "The Life of Napoleon" (Volumes I - VI); Bourrienne "Memoirs of Napoleon" (Volumes VII - X); and Duchesse D'Abrantes authored her own memoirs (Volumes XI - XVI).

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) was truly a Renaissance man, and is "now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language" (n.b., quote from Wiki). Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne (1769-1834) was "known primarily for his close relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte, of whom he wrote in detail in his celebrated memoirs" (ibid). The family of Laure Junot, Duchess of Abrantès (1784-1838) were friends with Bonaparte; her memoirs were originally published in eighteen volumes.

This publication issued by The Grolier Club is the "Empire Edition", issued in an edition of 425 copies. There was also an "Imperial Edition De Luxe" issued in an edition of 1000 copies. Apparently both editions were available bound in either cloth, half-leather, or full leather; this one of the plain cloth sets. As of this writing, we see none of the "Empire Edition" online, although the "Imperial Edition De Luxe" is well-represented.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full plain green cloth, paper spine labels with red and black lettering, top edges gilt, tasteful prior owner Ex-Libris on the front pastedown in each volume, lettered tissue-gaurded colour frontispiece in each volume, title pages in red, black and gold, limitation statement on the verso of the title pages, a few volumes with fold-out charts; bindings quarto size (9" by 6"), pagination varies between 284 and 488 pp. in each volume, total pages approx. 5500.

___CONDITION: A solid very good set, the boards clean, the corners mostly straight and with minimal rubbing, strong, square text blocks with solid hinges (a few volumes tender, but none of the hinges are cracked), the interiors clean and bright (with some signatures unopened), and other than the Ex-Libris free of prior owner markings; a few volumes with some wear to the board edges and joints, and the heads/tails of the spine, a few spine labels with light soil, but still a very good set.

___POSTAGE: Due to the size and weight of this set additional postage may apply, please inquite for details. International customers, also please note that any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.

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Price: $400.00