Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
A remarkable illustrated peepshow depicting one of the bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars. The Battle of Eylau was a massive engagement fought in East Prussia between Napoleon's French Army and the Russian Army. For two days more than 150,000 soldiers battled to a bloody stalemate. The combined toll of 40,000 casualties and ambiguous outcome led French Marshall Ney to exclaim: "Quei massacre! Et sans Résultat" ("What a massacre! And without result!"). This extremely rare peepshow is housed in its original 8 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 1/2" box featuring six hand-colored engraved panels. The title "NAPOLEON and the battle at Eylau fought the 9th February, 1807 / NAPOLEON, et la battaille à Eylau donnée le 9 Février 1807" is printed upon a pair of French tricolor flags. When the top of the box is extended fully (about 28"), a small 1 1/4" x 3/4" window reveals a beautifully rendered three-dimensional battle scene. Napoleon himself appears on horseback in the third panel from the top. Although the outer box bears a good deal of wear including soiling and toning, the interior is as remarkably clean and bright as the day it was manufactured. An incredibly rare and stunningly beautiful artifact of the Napoleonic Wars.