Turquan, Joseph (trans. Violette M. Montagu)

The Empress Josephine. London: John Lane, The Bodley Head; New York: John Lane Company; Toronto: Bell & Cockburn, 1913



8vo 8 3/4 x 5 3/4 in.; 227 x145 mm). Title-page printed in green and black, 17 full-page illustrations, including frontispiece portrait of Josephine by Delegorgue after Lebel, a pupil of David.

Upper joint very slightly rubbed, linings a trifled frayed and dampstained.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A sumptuous Cosway binding by Rivière and Son, in burgundy crushed morocco, the panels decorated in dentelle style, the foliated cartouches front and back surrounding a fine portrait  by Miss C. B. Currie of Josephine based on a nineteenth-century engraving for The Lady's Magazine (1770–1830), the lower cover with a portrait of Napoleon wearing his coronation robes and Imperial laurel wreath, at the base of each cartouche Napoleon's emblematic eagle, the top of each cartouche surmounted by the initials J and N and the Imperial crown, respectively,  the spine in six compartments with raised bands (of which two lettered gilt), the remaining compartments decorated with the Imperial laurel wreath and surmounted by the initial J and the Imperial crown, foliated dentelles, olive green moiré linings, the lower lining stamped in gilt "Miniatures by C. B. Currie," top and bottom edges gilt.