[Description of the Solemn Order of Entry into the Capital City of Moscow and Solemn Coronation of Empress Elizabeth].
St Petersburg, Académie Impériale des Sciences, 1744
Rare album of the coronation of Elizabeth I, in Russian: one of the most sumptuous books of 18th and 19th century Russia, this copy in an imperial presentation binding of contemporary calf, bearing the cypher of Elizabeth I, complete with the portrait of the empress and the 49 plates. Despite the date on the title, work continued until 1746 when editions in Russian, German, French and Latin were published simultaneously, under the supervision of N. Iu. Trubetskoi.
The coronation of the daughter of Peter the Great was a grand affair, celebrated over almost two months between February and April, 1742. The project of a luxurious printed record began at this time, and took fours years to complete, being finished in 1746 in spite of the date on the title page. It was simultaneously published in Russian, German, French and Latin, in a quantity of 650 copies (Svod. Katalog). The best engravers of the time, Russian and foreign (mostly German) based in St. Petersburg, took part in the realisation of this major achievement of Russian printing.
Alexis von Rosenberg, Baron de Redé was a prominent French banker and socialite, known for hosting some of the most extravagant balls of the 20th century. The New York Times wrote that his life was dedicated to, 'museum-quality collecting and entertaining on a huge and hugely imaginative scale'. Redé said of his collection, 'all I want is the best of everything' and this coronation album is indeed worthy of such a connoisseur.
First edition, folio (44.5 x 28.5 cm); mezzotint frontispiece portrait of Elizabeth Petrovna by Johann Stenglin after Louis Caravaque and 49 plates by I. A. Sokolov (no. 5 after Elias Grimmel), G. A. Kachalov and C. A. Wortmann, 16 of which are folding, one (no. 45) a mezzotint of a firework display, 168pp. of text in Russian, some minor staining, repairs to plates; imperial presentation binding, contemporary mottled calf, gilt border on covers, gilt-crowned monogram at the corners, large central gilt cypher of Empress Elizabeth on front cover, back cover with large Russian eagle in gilt at centre, skilfully rebacked, red morocco label, spine in parts with various imperial insignia to parts, later red morocco chemise with gilt title, a very good copy.
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