Étiquette du Palais impérial. Année 1806. by (NAPOLEON). [SÉGUR, Louis-Philippe…

4to (267 × 195 mm), pp. [2], 159, [1], with half-title. Uncut, stitched in contemporary blue paste paper wrappers. Edges and corners rather creased and dusty (with minor tears at spine), but an appealing unsophisticated copy

A guide to the rules of etiquette at the court of Napoleon, with protocol for courtiers at the Palais impérial, the Garde impériale and the ‘Grands officiers de la Couronne’, and rules for conducting ceremonies in the Chapel. This is also a guide to appropriate formal behaviour in the Napoleonic court and was published just two years after Napoleon formally crowned himself Emperor of France. Extremely precise descriptions of all court proceedings are provided, detailing the etiquette of processions, balls and concerts, pages’ service, etiquette of bureaucratic functions... and the preparation of the Emperor’s breakfast. Although the Bibliotheque nationale catalogue records an edition of of 1805, this 1806 edition is considered the first complete codification. It was revised and reissued several times.