Vie de Catherine II, Imperatrice de Russie

by Jean-Henri Castéra 

First edition, in French, two volumes.  Paris, 1797 

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD condition.

• Red leatherbound covers with gilt emblem on top board. 
• Boards show some exposure, smudges, scuffing, staining to back cover, edgewear.  Corners are scuffed.  See photos.  
• Spine has gilt text dimmed and is darkened with bumped ends.  See photos.
• Binding is strong. 
• Marble end papers/ pastedowns have bookplates, a presentation label; plain feps have some foxing, writing.  See photos. 
• Interior is gently age-toned, exhibits light foxing, shadows to text block. 
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges have All Edges Gilt. 
• PS2025.0625

705 pages. 4 x 6.5 inches

A Very Good set, overall, of this two volume biography of the Russian Empress Catherine II.  Nicely bound in red leather with gilt emblem to top board, marble pastedowns and end papers edged with gilt tooling.  Bindings show some exposure and wear; the text block remains supple and very nice in the hand.  Seemingly scarce set of this first edition, 16mo format, no publisher named, printed without the illustrated plates found in the larger format edition of the same year published by Buisson. 

This biography, which was exceedingly popular in Europe and was translated into many languages, was written by Jean-Henri Castéra (1749-1838), a diplomat, writer, and translator who served at Catherine II's court in Saint Petersburg.  Castéra wrote his account anonymously immediately after Catherine's death, and the insider view it offered contributed to its success.   

The emblem on the covers pertains to St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire.  This set was presented to Bigelow Watts Jr. (1923-1951), as part of the first Dickey Prize, given for excellence in 6th form French, on June 13, 1941.   On the front pastedown are bookplates from other owners.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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