RABBE ALPHONSE (1784–1829) Histoire d’Alexandre Ier, empereur de toutes les Russies, et des principaux événemens de son règne. Paris: Treuttel et Würtz, Pothieu et Cie, 1826.

2 volumes, in-8°. First edition, llustrated with two lithographed frontispieces by Senefelder: a profile portrait of Tsar Alexander I and a view of Taganrog.Bound in contemporary red half morocco, with small corners, crowned monogram in the centre, smooth decorated spine (contemporary binding).Light foxing; two corners slightly worn. A fine and rare book from the personal library of Marie-Louise (1791–1847), with the monogram of Marie Louise, former Empress of the French. After Napoleon’s abdication, she became Duchess of Parma, where this volume was part of her private collection. Some foxing. Two corners worn. The journalist and writer Alphonse Rabbe (1784-1829), who associated with the ‘petits romantiques’, alongside Xavier Forneret, Charles Lassailly and Pétrus Borel, was a friend of Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo. He wrote several historical works on Spain, Portugal and Russia. This remarkable biography of Alexander I is considered the first biograph in French of the powerful and determined enemy of Napoleon I. PROVENANCE: Calvin Bullock (ex-libris).