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an old book with a piece of paper sticking out of ita black and white image of a book with an ornate framean old book with writing on it sitting on top of a tablean old paper with a drawing of a family tree on itan old book with a drawing of a man holding a lampan image of a painting of a man sitting in a chair reading a bookan image of a painting of a woman in a white dresspainting of a man in uniform standing next to a horse and carriage
MILLON

386 - RARE MILITARY WORK FROM THE LIBRARY OF PRINCE PLATON ZOUBOV,…
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
RARE MILITARY WORK FROM THE LIBRARY OF PRINCE PLATON ZOUBOV, THE LAST FAVOURITE OF EMPRESS CATHERINE II OF RUSSIA Exercises and Regulations for Formations and All Ceremonies of the Regular Cavalry, Saint Petersburg, Academy of Sciences, 1755, 200 pages. Printed in an edition of 1,568 copies. The volume contains 10 military tactical diagrams, including ‘March in close column with deployment’, ‘Retreating battle’, ‘Defensive march’, etc. In a brown leather binding (scratched), ribbed spine, in-8 format, with title page and engraved military diagrams. A label glued to the binding, inscribed in Russian, the text of which is indecipherable. Stains, wear and tear, wormholes. With a handwritten bookplate, probably in the autograph of ‘Platon Alexandrovich Zubov’ in Russian on the title page, and a handwritten ‘46’, possibly accompanied by his monogram, on the first page. Provenance A copy from the library of Prince Platon Alexandrovich Zubov (1767–1822), the last favourite of Empress Catherine II of Russia, a high-ranking dignitary of the Russian Empire and commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Related work A copy of this work is now held at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library, Saint Petersburg (СК XVIII. - Книга. Сб.83. С.217). Background Platon Alexandrovich Zubov was born on 15 November 1767. He joined the army at a very young age, serving in the Semenovsky Imperial Guards – a common practice for young Russian nobles – before being noticed at court for his good looks. In 1789, thanks to his charm and the support of those close to the Empress, he became the official favourite of Catherine the Great. He was then appointed Grand Master of Artillery. He quickly acquired immense political influence and received numerous titles, honours and wealth, becoming one of the most powerful men in the Russian Empire. However, his ambition and thirst for power earned him many enemies at court. Upon the death of Catherine II in 1796, her successor Paul I swiftly removed him from power and temporarily exiled him. In 1801, Zubov took part in the conspiracy that led to the assassination of Paul I. During the reign of Alexander I, he gradually withdrew from political life and lived mainly on his estates. He died in the Duchy of Courland on 7 (19) April 1822, leaving behind the image of an influential but controversial figure in the history of Imperial Russia.
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About the sale Russian Art – Mr G’s Collection – Part 3
Auction location
Auction time 09/18/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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