Author: Frederic T Briffault
Title: The Prisoner of Ham
Description: London, T C Newby, 1846. First edition. Cloth. A scarce, first edition of this work detailing Napoleon III's attempt to seize power in 1840, and his subsequent capture and imprisonment in the fortress of Ham. A presentation copy with inscription to the recto of front pastedown, 'H A Payne the gift of Prince Napoleon Louis Bonaparte' to front pastedown. Hand is not of Napoleon III, so it is possibly a staff member that wrote the dedication. Former owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, Frank Halliday Cheetham, 'This book is one of 2000 volumes bequeathed to the Wigan Public Library by Frank Halliday Cheetham&apos. Blind stamp to the title page and library stamp to the verso of title page.  Prince Napoleon was captured as he attempted to seize power in France following his exile to London. Napoleon III was one of the last prisoners of note held at the Chateau de Ham, a castle in the Somme departement in Hauts-de-France. He was held here for six years before escaping by adopting the identity of a painter, Dadinguet. Illustrated, with a portrait frontispiece, folding plan, two lithograph plates, and four folding facsimile letters.  In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Light rubbing to the joints and extremities. Small tear to the cloth at the rear joint. Rear hinge is strained but firm. A few light marks to the boards. Donor bookplate to the recto of front endpaper. Former owner's inscriptions to the front pastedown. A few chips to the fore-edge of front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright. Scattered spots to pages. Closed tear to the folding map at the midpoint of the bottom third. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .

Keywords: Napoleon St Helena Frank Halliday Cheetham Ham St Helena None


See more books from our catalog: Naval & Military History