Napoleon I--Grand Maitre des Ceremonies | Account book, including Napoleon's wedding ceremonies, 1810

Napoleon I--Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur, Grand Maitre des Ceremonies 

Budget and Account book of the Expenditure of the Grand Maitre des Ceremonies for 1810 entitled "Comptabilité 1810"

arranged in sections (e.g. "Déspenses Générales", "Secrétariat", "Cérémonies non prévues") including a section headed "Mariage de l'Empereur et Roi" recording payments made in connection with the marriage ceremonies of Napoleon I and Marie Louise of Austria which took place at the Tuileries on 2 April 1810, c.64 pages, plus blanks; with, tipped in at the front, a document signed by H.-B. Maret, Secretary of State, with printed heading "Extrait des Minutes de la Secretaire d'Etat", from a decree of 21 February 1813, cancelling the unspent items of credit in the budget for the marriage; folio, original green half-vellum on green boards, spine label ("Compatabilite 1810 Depenses totales"), housed in a crimson morocco solander box lettered in gilt ("Napoleon I Depenses du Mariage 1810 manuscrit"), wear to binding with some loss

Comte de Ségur, the Grand Maitre des Ceremonies, had in his department four salaried officials (two Maitres and two Aides), eight persons employed in important positions, including the Herald of Arms, and other lesser functionaries. He allowed 140,000 francs for 1810 to cover the general expenses connected with his department, and an additional 136,626 francs were allowed for the ceremonies of the marriage, to which were added a further 28,272 francs as a supplementary budget. The volume contains detailed accounts of how these sums were spent and to whom they were paid, and includes records of the cost of decorating or refurbishing the hall in which the ceremony took place, the Musee Napoleon, vestibule, stairway, etc. There are also records of the amounts paid to the masons, carpenters, locksmith, pilder, glazier, cleaners, and numerous others.  

PROVENANCE:

Marsden J. Perry; sale of his library, American Art Association, 12 March 1936, lot 376 (clipped catalogue entry loosely inserted); Calvin Bullock (bookplate); Christie's, London, 8 May 1985, lot 344