Napoleon in exile on St Helena

READ, R.P.

This Geographical Plan of the Island & Forts of St Helena is Dedicated by permission to Field Marshal His Ro.l Highness The Duke of Kent and Strathearn By Lieu.t R.P. Read.
London: Burgess & Barfoot, 1815. Original colour. Dissected and laid on linen, total 460 x 590mm. With 'A Descriptive Sketch of St Helena to Accompany Lieut. Read's Geographical plan of the Island' pasted on the reverse. With slipcase with publisher's label and a vignette portrait of Napoleon.

Map of the island of St Helena, the South Atlantic island chosen to house Napoleon during his second exile because of the ring of high cliffs that would make escape a virtual impossibility. For the first two months he lived in a pavilion on 'The Briars' estate (almost the centre of the map), marked here 'Buonaparte's First Residence'. He was then moved to Longwood House, as shown here. The poor state of repair of Longwood, situated on a damp and windswept part of the island, is reported to have shortened the former emperor's life.


Stock ID : 22661