Histoire de la Révolution Française

Paris: Furne , 1865. Leather. Very Good. 9" by 5.5". Various. In this illustrated, leather bound set, Adolphe Thiers offers a comprehensive account of the revolutionary years in eighteenth century France. Marie Joseph Louis Adolphe Thiers was a French politician and historian. Thiers was a prime minister under King Louis-Philippe of France. Following the overthrow of the Second Empire he again came to prominence as the French leader who suppressed the revolutionary Paris Commune of 1871. From 1871 to 1873 he served initially as Head of State (effectively a provisional President of France), then provisional President. When, following a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly, his offer of resignation was accepted (he had expected a rejection) he was forced to vacate the office. He was replaced as Provisional President by Patrice de Mac-Mahon, Duke of Magenta, who became full President of the Republic, a post Thiers had coveted, in 1875 when a series of constitutional laws officially creating the Third Republic were enacted. With fifty-four plates, collated complete. Complete in ten volumes. Thiers was a key figure in both the July Revolution of 1830, and the French Revolution of 1848, and was later elected chief executive of the French government following the end of the Franco-Prussian War. When the Paris Commune seized power in March 1871, Thiers gave the orders to the army for its suppression and was named President of the Republic by the French National Assembly later that year. With eight plates to volume I. With nine plates to volume II. With six plates to volume III. With four plates to volume IV. With three plates to volume V. With four plates to volume VI. With four plates to volume VII. With five plates to volume VIII. With five plates to volume IX. With five plates to volume X. Prior owner's bookplate to the front paste down of volume I. The bookplate has been inscribed in ink, reading 'To Little Piet Arbuthnott, From Mr Edward Muspratt', with the final name in typescript. With a letter from Edward Pratt tucked in which he explains that the books are a christening gift for Piet's father to read to her until she is old enough. In a contemporary quarter calf binding over paper boards. Externally, generally smart. Lightly rubbed to the extremities and the spine. Volumes II and VI have tiny chips in the paper to the front board, and volumes IV, V, and VIII are lacking some paper to the rear board. Volume III is lacking nearly a quarter of the paper to the front board, and the paper is lifting. Volume I is a little worn at the extremities, as is volume III. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright with the odd patch of light foxing, particularly to the earlier volumes. Very Good