Funeral. Napoleon III. Prince Imperial. In-folio (41 x 29.5 cm) mounted on tabs, chocolate brown chagrin, double cold fillet framing, four angular gilt "N" and gilt titling on first board, spine with muted nerves, gilt edges. A very important collection of archives and memorabilia relating to the funerals of Napoleon III and the Prince Imperial. A remarkable testimony to the repercussions of these events across the Channel, far beyond mere Bonapartist circles. The collection was painstakingly compiled by Urbain Chevreau d'Antraigues (1855-1934), son of Henri Chevreau d'Antraigues, a minister under Napoleon III and close associate of the imperial family. The collection consists of the following pieces: - Operating report signed by Professor Sir Henry Thompson, last surgeon to Napoleon III, by Sir Gull, and by Drs. Conneau and Corvisart, on the state of health of their patient. Late 1872 - Early 1873. 1 p. in-8. - Letter signed by Henri Chevreau, former Minister of the Interior under Napoleon III, dated 10 January 1873, the day after the death of the Emperor, announcing three months' mourning. 1 p. in-4 on mourning paper headed Service du Grand Maître des Cérémonies. - An envelope bearing the handwritten words "Taken from the Emperor's room". Sealed, contents unknown. - A tiny envelope bearing the words "Residue [reseda?] taken from the bed of Emperor Napoleon III at Chislehurst". Sealed, contents unknown. - Two boxes of passes for the Emperor's funeral at Chislehurst and for his burial at the cemetery on 15 January 1873. In-12, mourning paper. - Two notices of the Emperor's death, in English. In-12, embossed paper. - A pious card inviting prayers for the soul of Napoleon III. In-12, printed cardboard enhanced in black and silver. - 5 portrait-visiting card photographs of the imperial prince Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (4 in bust, 1 full-length, 1 equestrian). Various French and English photographers. 6 in-12 cards. - A script of the speech given by the prince on the death of his father, celebrating his memory and calling for a plebiscite. 1 p. in-4. - Manuscript of the funeral oration of the Prince Imperial delivered by Cardinal Henry Edward Manning. 10 p. and a quarter in-4 on mourning paper. - GALLWEY, To the Memory of H.I.H. Prince Louis Napoleon, Funeral Words spoken in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. London, Burns & Oates, 1879. Booklet of 24 p. in-8. - One envelope and 3 strips of blank stationery with the Prince's cipher. A reply form from the Prince's secretariat. In-12 and in-8. - Invitation card to the requiem given on the occasion of the death of the Prince Imperial at Kensington Pro-Cathedral on 30 June 1879. 1 p. in-12 on mourning paper. - A hunting licence in the name of M. Chevreau, issued by the authorities of the district of Constance (Baden), for the season 1876-1877. 2 p. gr. in-12. - A mourning envelope bearing the handwritten words "Monsieur Urbain Chevreau". Sealed, contents unknown. - A handwritten list of personalities designated for the imperial funeral service, bearing the signature of the 2nd Duke of Bassano, Grand Chamberlain to Napoleon III. 3 1/2 gr. in-4 pages on mourning paper headed "Camden Place. Chislehusrt". - An issue of the illustrated weekly The Graphic of 19 July 1879 (vol. XX, no. 503), devoted to the Prince's funeral. - A special issue of the London periodical The Illustrated dated 16 July 1879 (vol. XX, no. 503), devoted to the Prince's death. - Issue of The Illustrated (vol. 75, no. 2092) of 19 July 1879 devoted to the death and funeral of the Prince. The documents are carefully placed in the collection, with small niches cut to size so that they do not feel the pressure of volume. Spine and corners rubbed, one headband damaged, foxing. Small label of the Adolphe Legoupy bookshop on the flyleaf. Provenance - Count Urbain Chevreau d'Antraigues (armorial bookplate) - Osenat sale, Christopher Forbes Collection, 6 March 2016, lot no. 194.