V. J. Nicolle - Monuments de Paris - 1961

Elaborately designed facsimile of one of the most representative picture gifts of the Napoleonic era. The original was created in 1810 on the occasion of Napoléon’s marriage to Marie-Louise of Austria and is now housed at the Château de Malmaison. It comprises fifty specially produced views of Paris, executed by Victor-Jean Nicolle, one of the leading architectural and veduta painters of his time.

Publisher: Editions Rombaldi, Paris, 1961, 5 introduction sheets, 3 facsimiled letters with transcription, 50 color plates with descriptions, high-quality leather case in a cardboard slipcase, one of 1,000 copies, 29 x 24 cm
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The present 1961 edition reproduces this imperial wedding gift in authentic form: 50 finely reproduced color plates on sturdy handmade paper, each with printed accompanying text, loosely inserted as in the historical precedent. Depicted are important squares, monuments and buildings of early Imperial Paris, including Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, the Palais-Royal, Notre-Dame, the Panthéon, the Invalides, the Palais du Sénat (Luxembourg), as well as views of Versailles. The selection provides a representative panorama of the capital in the transition from the Ancien Régime to the Empire.

A particular charm lies in the luxurious finishing: the large-format red leather case with rich gold ornamentation and imperial coat of arms deliberately references courtly deluxe editions (signed: Engel). The moiré silk interior lining and the matching slipcase emphasize the gift nature of this edition. The loose sequence of plates allows separate viewing or framing of individual views.
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Case and slipcase slightly rubbed; plates with occasional, light foxing; overall a very decorative and complete copy.