From Napoleon’s library in exile at St. Helena to sale at Heritage Auctions on July 25 comes Constantin François de Chassebœuf, comte de Volney’s two-volume third edition of Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte pendant les années 1783, 1784, et 1785, first published in 1787 and still in print today. This travelogue, religious history and philosophical text features Napoleon’s extensive handwritten annotations throughout the text.
It features three engraved folding maps and five folding plates, and comes in contemporary French sprinkled calf gilt, red and green morocco lettering-pieces on spines, housed together in full morocco folding case by Riviere & Son.
This travel account by the French historian, orientalist, philosopher and politician Constantin François de Chasseboeuf, comte de Volney (1757-1820) served as a basis for later Egyptian expeditions, and many scientists, as well as Bonaparte himself, took this work with them on their expeditions. Napoleon brought a copy of Volney's book to Egypt, and it served as the standard reference source for the members of his campaign there, 1798-1801.
This copy contains annotations in ink and pencil in Bonaparte's hand, mostly concerning measurements and other calculations, including a heavily annotated folding plate of the pyramids.
After Napoleon's death on St. Helena, a large portion of his last library was divided by the executors among heirs and friends. The remainder was removed from St. Helena by order of the British Government and sold to the French bookseller in London, Martin Bossange. The lots that failed to sell (almost half) were quickly consigned by Bossange to Sotheby's and sold on July 23, 1823. The lengthy catalogue entry for the present lot in the Sotheby's catalogue reads: "This Work is one of the most interesting Books that has occurred for Sale for many years. Most persons are aware that Napoleon wrote very little, but dictated to his favorite Generals Bertrand, Montholon, and Count Las Casas. The Egyptian Campaign, which forms a part of two volumes, just published, of his Memoirs, have been dictated from these volumes: he has taken notice of the most trifling error in the book; hence the many CORRECTIONS BY HIM. The Plate at page 229, vol. i, is entirely covered with his hand writing. This unique Book forms an historical document, which will be looked at with a mixture of pleasure and pain by the admirers of so great a man."
