[DANGEAIS CHARLES] Mémoires historiques et inédits sur la vie politique et privée de l’Empereur Napoléon, depuis son entrée à l’école de Brienne jusqu’à son départ pour l’Égypte. Paris: Corréard, 1822.

Lotto 69

Sold

In-8°, 1 frontispiece, 266 pp. (misnumbered as 268), (2) ff. publisher’s catalogue. With a hand-coloured lithographed frontispiece (full-length portrait of Napoleon). Porphyry sheepskin, gilt roulette frame, smooth decorated spine, green headband, marbled edges (period binding). Foxing. Ex-libris of Dominique de Villepin (designed by the painter Zao Wou-Ki). First edition. A rare and curious early biography of Napoleon, attributed to Charles Dangeais, Comte d’Oguerreau, former pupil of the Brienne school, an officer on the staff of the Army of Italy, and close friend of Napoleon. According to the publisher, this book is one of the strangest ever written about Napoleon. In Napoléon dans sa jeunesse [ Napoleon in his youth], 1769-1793, Frédéric Masson points out that this work seems to have been the source suggests that this work appears to have served as a source for most of the apocryphal works circulated under Bonaparte’s name.

Upon the buyer’s request, we are pleased to provide a general condition report for the Lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to conduct their own inspection or consult a specialist or restorer of their choice for a comprehensive professional assessment. Any condition descriptions provided in the catalogue or through any correspondence are for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for a firsthand evaluation.

NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’ IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.