460 pp. Finely engraved frontispiece in an allegorical Directoire style. The world, amid signs of discord, is being showered with flowers by the cherubic personification of art. All this amid the quotation “Le discord ravage le monde, les arts en sont les delicer.” Discord ravages the world, the arts are the only delight. (8vo) 19.5x12 cm (7¾x4¾") period full calf with modern rebacking, black leather spine label lettered in gilt, all edges gilt. "Nouvelle Edition." Volume 20 (only) from the Oeuvres Completes de J.J. Rousseau.
Bonaparte’s signature is bold and clear on the verso of the front free endpaper. It is of the type associated with his early career, 1800-1804. This is the time when Napoleon was First Consul. This volume also bears the fine heraldic Bonaparte bookplate of Louis Napoleon III with the crown of the pretender to the throne. This would date it pre-1848. Louis Napoleon was the son of Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, and Hortense De Beauharnais, daughter of Josephine (later Empress) and General De Beauharnais. She was also the beloved adopted daughter of Emperor Napoleon. It appears that this book, along with others of lesser importance, was a gift from Louis Napoleon to Jerome Napoleon during the year 1836. He was forced to flee France at that time because of plotting to place him on the throne. He found asylum in America with his Baltimore relations. He returned to Europe shortly afterwards, however, strong family ties continued. Jerome Napoleon Sr. and Jr. visited his royal court several times. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), extended the boundaries of France far beyond those of the Holy Roman Empire and Charlemagne. His importance can be compared to that of Caesar, Alexander or Washington. J.J. Rousseau was the most influential French Revolutionary philosopher of the 18th century. His writings include, Confessions De, and Le Social Contract. He was also a favorite author of Napoleon. It is said he even brought Rousseau with him on his campaigns. (Durant, Age of Napoleon, page 286.) His writings were often anti-government, anti-church and revolutionary in nature. As a result many were banned and burned in virtually every country in Europe. He also wrote widely on music and musical theory. The French Revolution celebrated him as its spiritual father, and held festivals in his honor. This volume appears to be from the set published by Beaumarchais which is considered one of the most important publishing efforts of the 18th century after the Dictionary and Voltaire. Provenance: First Consul (later Emperor) Napoleon Bonaparte, Hortense De Beauharnais, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte III, Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, Baltimore, Md., Jerome N. Bonaparte Jr., 1847, Harvard, Cambridge, Mass., Glenn F. DiMaggio, Newport Beach, Calif. Recently acquired from a Southern California estate, purchased at auction and accompanied by an album documenting aspects of its provenance.