126. "Journey to Southern Russia and Crimea, in Hungary, Wallachia and Moldova", by Anatole Demidoff, Prince of San Donato, first edition, French, Paris, 1840, work dedicated to Emperor Nicholas I of Russia, with 64 illustrations by Auguste Raffet

Selling price

EUR 1.440

Session

Tue, 26 March 2024 19:00

Anatole Demidoff (1813-1870) was a Russian noble with a complex personality, a true intellectual and scientist of his time, diplomat and explorer. After a youth spent in Paris with his father, ambassador of the Russian Empire in France, he returns to his homeland where he will dedicate to a long scientific career, abandoning the diplomacy he entered due to his family's insistence. The work describes both the southern part of the empire and Crimea, territories recently conquered by the Russian armies and still little known, as well as the region of the Romanian Principalities, Muntenia and Moldova, which, although under Ottoman suzerainty, had also entered the sphere of interest of Russia looking at the area as a corridor for passing its armies towards Constantinople and the Straits. In his scientific expeditions, Demidoff was accompanied by two French friends, a writer and an engraver painter, Jules Janin and Auguste Raffet, who helped him draft and illustrate the work. First published in Paris in 1840, the work enjoyed great success which led to its re-publication in 1854. The pages contain numerous references to Romanians, both related to the general economic, social, political state of the Principalities, as well as with regard to people and their way of life. The 27 splendid engravings by Raffet are complemented by numerous vignettes and illustrations. The work was dedicated to Emperor Nicholas I, whose portrait is at the beginning of the work, although the author was in disgrace with the sovereign. The copy is bound in a period binding. The covers are made of cardboard, with a leather spine divided into five registers.

Dimensions

custom 27 x 18 cm

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.

For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.

Similar lots