1859 Napoleon III Tuileries Cntrfld, William Prescott Obituary, Skating — Feb 12

🗞️ HARPER'S WEEKLY · February 12, 1859
Complete Issue · New York

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A varied and visually rich Antebellum issue — a double-page centerfold of Napoleon III's New Year's reception at the Tuileries Palace, the obituary of celebrated historian William H. Prescott with his writing case, a full-page skating scene, Paris court fashions, and the bell ringers of Seville. Strong content for French imperial history collectors, American literary history enthusiasts, and Victorian fashion lovers.

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🏛️ NAPOLEON III AT THE TUILERIES
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👑 DOUBLE-PAGE CENTERFOLD — "THE RECEPTION BY THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON AT THE TUILERIES ON NEW YEAR'S DAY"
A magnificent double-page centerfold of the New Year's Day reception at the Tuileries Palace — the great ceremonial levee at which Napoleon III received the diplomatic corps, the military, the clergy, and the aristocracy of the Second Empire in the most splendid setting in Paris. The Tuileries Palace, which stood between the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées until it was burned during the Paris Commune in 1871, was the residence of French emperors and one of the great royal palaces of Europe. A vivid, displayable, and very frameable piece of Second Empire French imperial history — capturing Napoleon III at the height of his power, just two years after France's victory in the Crimean War. A beautiful piece of Victorian European court history.

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📚 WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT — HISTORIAN OBITUARY
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✍️ QUARTER PAGE — "THE LATE WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT" — WITH ILLUSTRATION OF HIS WRITING CASE
A quarter-page portrait and memorial illustration of William Hickling Prescott — who had died on January 28, 1859, just two weeks before this issue, at age 62. Prescott was the most celebrated American historian of his generation, whose monumental works — The History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843) and The History of the Conquest of Peru (1847) — had made him famous on both sides of the Atlantic and placed American historical writing on par with the best in Europe. Remarkably, Prescott had written all of his great works nearly blind, using a special writing device called a noctograph — the illustrated "writing case" shown alongside his portrait — that allowed him to write in straight lines without being able to see the page. A significant piece of American literary and historical culture. His books remain in print today.

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⛸️ INSIDE THE ISSUE
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⛸️ FULL PAGE — "A SKATING SCENE"
A full-page illustration of ice skating — one of the most beloved Victorian leisure activities, capturing the social and athletic culture of the frozen ponds and rivers that drew New Yorkers outdoors in winter. A warm and very frameable piece of Victorian American winter leisure history.

🔔 QUARTER PAGE — "THE BELL RINGERS OF SEVILLE"
A quarter-page illustration of the bell ringers of Seville — a vivid piece of Spanish cultural and religious history, capturing the carilloneurs of the great Giralda bell tower of Seville Cathedral. A charming and unusual piece of Victorian Spanish life.

👗 HALF PAGE — "THE NEW COURT FASHIONS AT PARIS"
A half-page illustration of the latest Paris court fashions — a vivid piece of Second Empire French fashion history at the height of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie's reign, when Paris was the undisputed center of world fashion.

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📋 CONDITION
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I photograph every page of every issue so you can inspect the condition closely before purchasing. Please review all images carefully and don't hesitate to ask any questions — I'm happy to provide additional detail or close-up shots of any page, illustration, or area of concern before you buy.

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📌 DETAILS
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Publication ········ Harper's Weekly
Date ··············· February 12, 1859
City ··············· New York
Format ············· Illustrated newspaper, complete in 16 pages

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📦 SHIPPING & PRESERVATION
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• Stored in an acid-free protective bag and flat-shipped in a padded envelope with heavy cardboard reinforcement
• Fully tracked for your peace of mind

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