Emmanuel de Las Cases - Le Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène - 1958

An edition in 8 illustrated and numbered volumes, published on subscription in 1958 by the society 'Les Amis de l’histoire'. It reproduces the classic text of the Memorial in a bibliophilic presentation taken from Bouffant de luxe 'Fleur d'Alfa', with each copy bearing an individual number. Designed for an audience of Napoleon enthusiasts, this carefully crafted edition is distinguished by its binding in tawny and green sheepskin, stamped with the gold title on the spine and a quote in gold letters on the cover, as well as by the inclusion of period illustrations and color hors-texte. It was produced under the direction of historian René Harot by publisher François Beauval, based on layouts by Erwin Banz. One volume contains the subscription receipt for 8,000 francs, signed by the publisher.

The Memorial of Saint Helena is attributed to Count Emmanuel de Las Cases (1766–1842), a memoirist close to Napoleon I (1769–1821), who accompanied him into exile on Saint Helena and recorded daily conversations, political judgments, and memories dictated by the Emperor. The context of its writing – amid surveillance by British authorities, nostalgia for the imperial epic, and post-1815 memorial reconstruction – makes the Memorial an essential piece for anyone interested in the figure of Napoleon.

The content of the Memorial follows the course of the first eighteen months of exile, in the form of a journal alternating between scenes of daily life at Longwood, major campaign accounts (Italy, Egypt, Austerlitz, Russia), portraits of the Empire's actors, and lengthy political or legal digressions. It notably includes developments on the Constitution of Year VIII, the Civil Code, censorship, European diplomacy, but also very lively pages on Napoleon's psychology, his reading habits, his health, and his relationships with his entourage.

The overall condition is satisfactory but with a few minor flaws: the covers are slightly discolored with small marks, the edges and corners are a bit worn, there are small scratches on the leather here and there, some pages have tiny marginal tears, and there are other minor defects.