Lot 385: BEAUHARNAIS, HORTENSE DE

ROMANCES MISES EN MUSIQUE PAR S[A] M[AJEST] L[A] R[EINE] H[ORTENSE], [PARIS, C.1813] first edition, ff.[26], oblong 8vo (c.18.5 x 24cm), engraved throughout, hand-coloured engraved portrait of Hortense (by Monsaldi after Isabey), 12 Romances each with aquatint facing (by Piringer [after Hortense]), the music engraved within borders (signed by Richomme), contemporary black morocco elaborately gilt, the Queen's arms with lyre-tool to corners, [Olivier 2658 (3)], rolled borders, pink silk doublures, gilt-lettered spine, foxing throughout

Queen Hortense (1783-1837) was the daughter of the Empress Josephine and, from 1806 to 1810, Queen Consort of Holland. She was also a talented artist and musician; the aquatint illustrations in this edition are apparently modelled on her own drawings. This is probably a presentation copy, in a binding bearing the Queen's initial and crown; another such copy is found at the British Library, K.7.h.4.