almanac for the year 1846 with manuscript notes from the military governer of St Petersburg, a hero of Borodino: Matvey Evgrafovich Khrapovitsky.

A member of the distinguished Khrapovitsky family and a military man from a young age Khrapovitsky was promoted to the rank of Colonel when he was just 19 after the campaign against the French in Italy. Thereafter he continued to excel and by 1831 had reached the rank of General in the infantry. From April 1846 he was the military governor for Saint Petersburg and a member of the state council, dying a year later in April 1847.

The manuscript notes in this Almanac offer a unique insight into a pivotal year in the life of an important figure in the Russian Empire. From landmark events such as the Krakow uprising to family marriages, lunches and hunting trips, each day provides a glimpse of life at the top of society. Khrapovitsky writes of the duties of his job and the incessant military committee meetings, discussing movements of the army. For example, on 24th February he writes: 'ammunition for Krakow' and on the 6th July he calls for a regiment to prepare to mobilise.

Khrapovitsky records frequent lunches at the Winter Palace and his first mention of a meeting with his Imperial Highness Emperor Nicholas I is on 27th April which coincides with his appointment as Governor of St Petersburg. Many entries include the names of other notable officials of the Empire: on the 2nd July he writes that Lev Alekseevich Perovskiy, the Minister of Internal Affairs is being accused of trying to seize power, whilst on the 15th April he visits Prince Aleksey Fyodorovitch Orlov after going to an art exhibition.

The engravings include scenes of Tbilisi,, Dagestan, Kerch, Borodino, monasteries and military activities in outposts of the Empire.

8vo (12 x 8.5 cm); engraved frontispiece, engraved title, all edges gilt, 15 engravings of Russian scenery, the first 123pp. with manuscript annotations by Matvey Evgrafovich Khrapovitsky; original full green morocco and matching morocco slipcase, full gilt decoration.