[Rarebooks] FS: 1817 Napoleonic Fraud

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

[Lullin de Chateauvieux, Frederick]  MANUSCRIPT TRANSMITTED FROM ST. 
HELENA, by An Unknown Channel.  Translated from the French.

New York; Van Winkle and Wiley: 1817.

"This work, which is equally distinguished by its spirit and its ingenuity, 
was given to the Publisher, with an assurance of its being brought from St. 
Helena, though an air of mystery was affectedly thrown round the mode of 
its conveyance.  Whether it be really written by Buonaparte, or by some 
confidential friend, is a matter that must be left entirely to 
conjecture.  It bears some resemblance to his style, more to his manner, 
and is altogether just what the ostensible Author, or an able apologist 
under his name, might be expected to say of his opinions, motives, and 
actions."

In point of fact, Napoleon did not write this charming tome, and denounced 
it in his will as a forgery.  At the time of its publication, however, the 
book enjoyed great popularity, being issued in several countries, and was 
the subject of much speculation as to its true origins.

Some thought it might be the first part of the "Memoirs" Napoleon was 
thought to be writing.  Others sniffed the forger's pen, and embarked on a 
guessing game as to who might be responsible.  M. Bertrand, a former army 
officer and relative of a French nobleman, was mentioned, as was Madame de 
Stael.  Madame de Stael in turn pointed the finger at her former lover, the 
politician Benjamin Constant.

Before long, however, it was divulged that the real author was the Marquis 
Lullin de Chateauvieux, a man heretofore not known for possessing any 
literary ability.  Although the volume's critics immediately trumpeted 
their vindication and redoubled their denouncements of the forgery as 
ridiculous, many still argued that, although not actually from the pen of 
the Emperor, the volume was in fact a good mirror of at least some of his 
feelings.

Jomini, who admitted its inaccuracies, nonetheless actually incorporated 
parts of it into his own biography of Napoleon.  It remains today as a 
fascinating remnant of the controversies, intrigues and passions of the 
period.

Hardcover.  4.5"x7", 204 pages, bound in 19th century quarter leather with 
a gilt-decorated spine, marbled boards, and marbled endpapers.  Covers a 
bit rubbed, leather slightly dry, one old engraved bookplate pasted over 
another one on the front pastedown, tiny corner of the front free endpaper 
chipped off; some light internal browning and a spot or two, light 
scattered foxing. [28581]  $350

<http://www.joslinhall.com/images/th-28581.jpg>


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