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Napoleon, Manuscript from St. Helena, 1st Edition 1817, De Kay Collection

[ translate ]

"Napoleon's Memoirs, A Manuscript Transmitted from St. Helena: by an Unknown Channel". Translated from the French, anonymous, published by John Murray, London, First Edition, Second Printing ['Second Edition'], 1817. [Both, the French original "Manuscrit venu de Sainte-Helene d'une maniere inconnue" and the first English edition, were also published in 1817]. There is no evidence that this memoir was written by Napoleon, the consensus is that this manuscript was created by Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux.

The author explains Napoleonic Wars as the continuation of the war that European powers started against France during the French Revolution. The manuscript contains Napoleon's explanation of his theories of government, an avowal of the motives that actuated his public life, his way of thinking, decision making, and some details of military actions.

Marbled hard boards with Lord of Coucy's golden coat of arms on the front board, 1/4 leather, gold decorated spine with five raised bands [some shelf wear, spine repair, leather crease between front board and spine], 5.3/4" x 9.1/8"; marbled endpapers, ex-libris of John W. de Kay inside front cover; 146 pages, gilt page top, a little foxing, very good condition.

The presumed author, Marquess Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux (1772-1841) was Swiss agronomist and author, politician, member of the French Academy of Sciences, Accademia dei Georgofili, Societe royale d'agriculture. In 1828 he became a mayor of Satigny.

Provenance:

from the library of John Wesley De Kay (1872-1938) was an American entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, playwright, author, and eccentric socialite. Born in Iowa, he began his career in ranching and newspaper publishing in South Dakota, but by 1910 had achieved international business prominence as president of the Mexican National Packing Company which he had founded in 1902. He became known as the "Sausage King" of Mexico with the famous brand "Popo". De Kay craved public attention and flaunted his wealth, which in 1910 included the castle Coucy in France, a mansion in England, and a suite in New York's plush Hotel Ansonia. Aside from his social activities, interest in multiple businesses, and attempts as a playwright, John De Kay also authored over twenty books on a variety of topics, finance, women's rights, the labor movement, politics, Mexican history, and World War I.

Book plate:

The original medieval coat of arms of the Lords de Coucy with their traditional rhyme, "Roi ne suis, ne prince ne duc ne comte aussi; Je suis le sire de Coucy" (I am not king, nor prince nor duke nor count; I am the Lord of Coucy). 'John W. de Kay' is imprinted on the plate. The De Kay's can be traced back to French nobility at Chateau de Coucy in the 13th century. John Wesley de Kay acquired the castle and owned it prior to the WWI occupation (1914) and the destruction by the Germans.

From the publisher's "Advertisement":

"This Work, which is equally distinguished by its spirit and its ingenuity, was given to the Publisher, with an assurance of its being brought from St. Helena, though an air of mystery was affectedly thrown round the mode of its conveyance.Whether it be really written by Bounaparte, or by some confidential friend, is a matter that must be left entirely to conjecture. It bears some resemblance to his style, more to his manner, and is altogether just what the ostensible Author, or an able apologist under his name, might be expected to say of his opinions, motives, and actions."

From the Preface:

"I do not write commentaries: the events of my reign are sufficiently known, and I am not obliged to feed the curiosity of the public. I give a sketch of those events, because my character and my intentions may be strongly disfigured, and I have at heart to appear such as I really was, both in the eyes of my son and in those of posterity. This is the object of this tract. I am forced to make use of an indirect channel in publishing it. For if it were to fall into the hands of the English ministry, I know by experience, that it would remain buried in an office.

My life has been so extraordinary, that the admirers of my power imagined that even my childhood must have been uncommon. But they are mistaken. There was nothing singular in my early life. I was only an obstinate and inquisitive child. My first education was contemptible, like everything in Corsica. I learned French easily enough from the soldiers of the garrison, with whom I passed my time.

I succeeded in what I undertook, because I chose it: my desires were strong, and my character decided. I never hesitated: this gave me the advantage over everybody. The will depends indeed on the temper of the individual; it is not the privilege of every man to be master at home. My understanding led me to detest impositions. I always discerned truth at once, and, for that reason, I always saw better than others to the bottom of things. The world was to me always in fact, never in right. I scarcely resembled any man. My very nature was always isolated..." [from the Preface]

Note:
Country restrictions may apply - the lesser expansive Priority shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ------------- $18.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ------ $39.50
World: Priority (c 2-8 weeks) ------- $49.50

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21 Oct 2022
USA, Petersburg, VA
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[ translate ]

"Napoleon's Memoirs, A Manuscript Transmitted from St. Helena: by an Unknown Channel". Translated from the French, anonymous, published by John Murray, London, First Edition, Second Printing ['Second Edition'], 1817. [Both, the French original "Manuscrit venu de Sainte-Helene d'une maniere inconnue" and the first English edition, were also published in 1817]. There is no evidence that this memoir was written by Napoleon, the consensus is that this manuscript was created by Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux.

The author explains Napoleonic Wars as the continuation of the war that European powers started against France during the French Revolution. The manuscript contains Napoleon's explanation of his theories of government, an avowal of the motives that actuated his public life, his way of thinking, decision making, and some details of military actions.

Marbled hard boards with Lord of Coucy's golden coat of arms on the front board, 1/4 leather, gold decorated spine with five raised bands [some shelf wear, spine repair, leather crease between front board and spine], 5.3/4" x 9.1/8"; marbled endpapers, ex-libris of John W. de Kay inside front cover; 146 pages, gilt page top, a little foxing, very good condition.

The presumed author, Marquess Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux (1772-1841) was Swiss agronomist and author, politician, member of the French Academy of Sciences, Accademia dei Georgofili, Societe royale d'agriculture. In 1828 he became a mayor of Satigny.

Provenance:

from the library of John Wesley De Kay (1872-1938) was an American entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, playwright, author, and eccentric socialite. Born in Iowa, he began his career in ranching and newspaper publishing in South Dakota, but by 1910 had achieved international business prominence as president of the Mexican National Packing Company which he had founded in 1902. He became known as the "Sausage King" of Mexico with the famous brand "Popo". De Kay craved public attention and flaunted his wealth, which in 1910 included the castle Coucy in France, a mansion in England, and a suite in New York's plush Hotel Ansonia. Aside from his social activities, interest in multiple businesses, and attempts as a playwright, John De Kay also authored over twenty books on a variety of topics, finance, women's rights, the labor movement, politics, Mexican history, and World War I.

Book plate:

The original medieval coat of arms of the Lords de Coucy with their traditional rhyme, "Roi ne suis, ne prince ne duc ne comte aussi; Je suis le sire de Coucy" (I am not king, nor prince nor duke nor count; I am the Lord of Coucy). 'John W. de Kay' is imprinted on the plate. The De Kay's can be traced back to French nobility at Chateau de Coucy in the 13th century. John Wesley de Kay acquired the castle and owned it prior to the WWI occupation (1914) and the destruction by the Germans.

From the publisher's "Advertisement":

"This Work, which is equally distinguished by its spirit and its ingenuity, was given to the Publisher, with an assurance of its being brought from St. Helena, though an air of mystery was affectedly thrown round the mode of its conveyance.Whether it be really written by Bounaparte, or by some confidential friend, is a matter that must be left entirely to conjecture. It bears some resemblance to his style, more to his manner, and is altogether just what the ostensible Author, or an able apologist under his name, might be expected to say of his opinions, motives, and actions."

From the Preface:

"I do not write commentaries: the events of my reign are sufficiently known, and I am not obliged to feed the curiosity of the public. I give a sketch of those events, because my character and my intentions may be strongly disfigured, and I have at heart to appear such as I really was, both in the eyes of my son and in those of posterity. This is the object of this tract. I am forced to make use of an indirect channel in publishing it. For if it were to fall into the hands of the English ministry, I know by experience, that it would remain buried in an office.

My life has been so extraordinary, that the admirers of my power imagined that even my childhood must have been uncommon. But they are mistaken. There was nothing singular in my early life. I was only an obstinate and inquisitive child. My first education was contemptible, like everything in Corsica. I learned French easily enough from the soldiers of the garrison, with whom I passed my time.

I succeeded in what I undertook, because I chose it: my desires were strong, and my character decided. I never hesitated: this gave me the advantage over everybody. The will depends indeed on the temper of the individual; it is not the privilege of every man to be master at home. My understanding led me to detest impositions. I always discerned truth at once, and, for that reason, I always saw better than others to the bottom of things. The world was to me always in fact, never in right. I scarcely resembled any man. My very nature was always isolated..." [from the Preface]

Note:
Country restrictions may apply - the lesser expansive Priority shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ------------- $18.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ------ $39.50
World: Priority (c 2-8 weeks) ------- $49.50

[ translate ]
Sale price
Unlock
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
21 Oct 2022
USA, Petersburg, VA
Auction House
Unlock
View it on