Album Artistique de la Reine Hortense. Livre D'Art de la Reine Hortense. Une Visite a Augsburg, Esquisse Biographique. Lettres, Dessins, et Musique
Half Morocco
Paris
by Garde-Chambonas, Le Comte August Louis Charles de la; Hortense de Beauharnais. Hippolyte Prevost
Paris: Typographie Plon Freres, Heugel & Cie.. Half Morocco. Very Good Minus. Circa 1850 to1860. Oblong, 27.5 by 38 cm, or 10.5 by 15 inches. 23, [67] pp. Hortense was the step-daughter of Napoleon (she was the daughter of Josephine). She was married off to Napoleon's brother, Louis, who was made the king of Holland during the years 1806 to 1810. Significantly for this particular production, Hortense was the mother of Louis Napoleon, also known as Napoleon III, who at the time this opulent work was published, was the ruler of France, which thus explains the opulent commemoration of her here, as evident in the use of gold in its printing! Hortense was, in fact, of an artistic bent, and so contained herein are examples of her painting and musical compositions. There are six plates engraved by F. Sorrieu after paintings by Hortense and 24 pages of musical score by her (lyrics by the Comte de la Garde). Includes letters written by Hortense and a biography by Hippolyte Prevost. The gorgeous chromolithographs, seven in all, were done by Lemercier. Leather is rubbed and scuffed. Foxing, heavy in a few places, generally because of the card or paper. (Inventory #: 001858)