FR EN
1 / 6
an old book with a red cover sitting on top of a white surfacea book with a red cover and gold trimming on itan image of an open book with a picture of rocks on itan open book with writing on it sitting on top of a white surfacean open book on a white surface with a red borderan open book with black writing on it sitting on top of a white surface
Premium Artcurial

6 - FIANDO (Paul Joseph Louis Marie)
See original version (French)

Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
Sale commission
Description
FIANDO (Paul Joseph Louis Marie) Turin, Fea Press, Year 9 [1801].. Accounts of the number of coins issued to officers of all ranks [·…]. Pet. in-4 (23.2 x 17.2 cm), red long-grain morocco, gilt frieze borders on the covers, the word ‘present’ in gilt letters in the centre of the covers, plain spine decorated with gilt motifs, green title label, gilt edges (contemporary binding).   A precious volume from the collection of Joséphine Bonaparte. First edition of this collection of military accounts, dedicated to General Bonaparte. In his dedication to the General, the author, a certain Fiando, recounts the vicissitudes of his participation in the Italian campaigns. In particular, he had been accused of embezzling funds intended to pay soldiers’ wages and, as a result, imprisoned in Brescia Castle. The end of the volume contains supporting documents intended to exonerate him from the charges brought against him. Beyond its narrative, the work also marks a milestone in the military expansion and unification driven by the Consulate in the wake of the Revolution, as the sums detailed are expressed in francs, accompanied by conversion tables.   Whilst the book is dedicated to General Bonaparte, this particular copy was presented to Josephine, with the inscription in gold lettering on the covers: ‘To Madame Josephine Bonaparte, wife of the First Consul’.   It was subsequently acquired by Sir Woodbine Parish (1796–1882), who took up his first diplomatic post in 1814 and played a part in the events following Waterloo. The following year, he took part in the expedition aimed at restoring the crown of the Kingdom of Naples to the House of Bourbon, following the defeat of Joachim Murat. He was subsequently sent to Paris as secretary to Lord Caslereigh’s embassy for the restoration of peace in Europe. In this capacity, he drafted the 1815 Peace Treaty. Edges and corners slightly rubbed.   Provenance – Woodbine Parish (handwritten note on the reverse of the first coloured endpaper: ‘Bought by Woodbine Parish at the sale of some books belonging to Bonaparte, Paris, September 1815’). – Louis Barthou (bookplate). – Calvin Bullock (bookplate). – The Aristophil Collections, auction in Paris, Drouot, estimate, 5 April 2019, lot 1555.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Historical Memories
Auction location
Auction time 11/03/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like