Written In English
This is a beautifully bound 1897 edition of The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte by J.G. Lockhart, published by Bickers & Son of Leicester Square, London. Lockhart, better known as the son-in-law and biographer of Sir Walter Scott, crafted this work to present a sweeping, narrative-style biography of one of history’s most complex figures. This edition includes nine illustrations in “permanent photography” along with numerous wood engravings, giving it both visual appeal and scholarly weight.
The biography explores the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte—from his Corsican roots to his imperial zenith and ultimate exile. Written in the 19th century, Lockhart’s account blends fact with dramatic storytelling, shaped by British perspectives of the time. This was an era fascinated by Napoleon’s legacy—both as a military genius and a cautionary tale of ambition. By 1897, Napoleon had become a mythic figure in popular imagination, and Lockhart’s biography was aimed at making his life accessible and engaging to students and general readers alike.
This specific copy stands out for its stunning full tree-calf leather binding, featuring an elaborate gilt-tooled spine, red morocco title label, and a particularly striking “South Wales Training College Carmarthen” prize binding, with its crest stamped in gilt on the cover. The tree calf patterning—resembling the grain of wood—is prized for its visual depth and organic beauty. The marbled endpapers and page edges, along with a prize plate dated December 1899, add personal and historical charm. This was awarded for excellence in English History, which fittingly complements the subject matter of the book.
Condition:
The spine is richly gilt and remains legible, with some rubbing and softening to the extremities, and minor wear at the head of the spine. The full tree-calf leather binding retains its vibrant figuring and the gilt South Wales Training College crest on the front cover is still crisp and striking. However, the front cover is completely detached from the text block, and the rear hinge shows signs of starting but is still holding. Corners exhibit some bumping and wear. Internally, the marbled endpapers are attractive and mostly intact, and the pages are generally clean with only scattered foxing, more concentrated around the frontispiece and title pages. The prize plate awarded for excellence in English History adds a charming historical touch. While the book remains visually impressive, restoration would be needed to fully stabilize the binding.
