First edition, rarely found complete. Outstanding lithographic series of the "retour des cendres", the return of the mortal remains of Napoleon Bonaparte from the island of Saint Helena to France and the burial in Hôtel des Invalides in Paris on 15 December 1840. Prepared by Victor Adam, Jules Arnout, and Alphonse Bichebois, including fine views of the exhumation on St Helena, the frigate Belle Poule leading the funeral procession from Saint Helena flying her full colours, the casquet trans-shipped from the Belle Poule to the steamship Normandie in the roadstead of Cherbourg, the funeral carriage passing the Arc the Triomphe upon its arrival in Paris, along with the ceremonial procession along the crowded Champs-Élysées, concluding with the splendid ceremonies and views of Napoleons tomb at Les Invalides.
Although there had been several attempts to repatriate Napoleons body after his death in 1821, this was not accomplished until the joint efforts of King Louis Phillippe I and his Prime Minister Adolphe Thiers.
Considerably rare, no complete copies in auction records of the last 40 years. One complete copy is held at the National Library of Ireland.
Corners very faintly rubbed. Plates 16 and 20 with repaired marginal tears; some scattered browning to several plates, not affecting image. A few tiny marginal flaws. Meyer, AKL I, 75, 94; not in WorldCat.