- Title: The Court of the Empress Josephine
- Author: Imbert De Saint-Amand
- Translated by: Thomas Sergeant Perry
- Publisher: Charles Scribner’s Sons
- Estimated year of printing: 1891
Notes:
Handwritten inscription: “Helen L. Shermann, 91”
Life Magazine renewal ticket tucked between pages – $4.50 a year via Air Mail
Copyright 1890
Publishing date: 1891
Besides the publishing date, the handwritten inscription supports the publishing date of 1891 (“91” likely means “1891”). De Saint Amand was known for writing historical books, and this particular one was originally written in French in 1883, and then translated to English and published as part of series about “Women of the French Court” in 1891. The subject matter here is Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and so the Empress of France, who lived from 1763 to 1814. It includes a portrait of Empress Josephine.
Tucked between pages is an “Airmail” renewal notice, which probably was used as a bookmark. As best I can tell, it seems to be for Life magazine (which began publication in 1883), and is suggesting using Airmail in order to not miss an issue. Airmail began service in 1918, the plane pictured (in cartoon form) appears to be from the 1930s.
Historical context:
When this book was published, Benjamin Harrison was the President of the United States. Basketball would be invented this year and General Electric would be founded one year later. The first commercial automobile was produced by Panhard et Levassor in France.