Joséphine, Empress of France | An almanac fit for an empress

(Joséphine, Empress of France)

Almanach Impérial. An Bissextil M. DCCC. XII. Paris: Testu, [1812]

Large 8vo (197 x 120 mm). Imperial emblem to title; apparently lacking M6-7 and Hh 6-7, scattered foxing and offsetting, one or two paper flaws not affecting text, occasional browning. Contemporary straight-grain crimson morocco, covers elaborately bordered in gilt with bee, leaf, and star motif, gilt "J" and floral crown at center, smooth spine with false bands, second compartment gilt-lettered, others elaborately gilt with crowns, imperial emblems, and grape-vines, all edges gilt, inner dentelles gilt, green silk pastedowns and endleaves; minor rubbing to extremities, minor soiling. Custom slipcase and folding chemise.

An almanac fit for an empress.

Joséphine—first wife of Napoleon, and the first Empress of the French—had had affairs with numerous political figures before becoming Napoleon's mistress in 1795. She was six years older than him, and widowed with two children. The match was not looked on favorably, but Napoleon was captivated by her, writing to her in December of 1795: "I awake full of you. Your image and the memory of last night's intoxicating pleasures has left no rest to my senses."