"Le Paradis des Ames Chrétiennes contenat la maniere d'employer le jour au service de Dieu (...) ecrit par moi Charles Siegreich 1738", French handwriting on parchment, 221S., many coloured initials, ca. 16 miniatures and some floral decorations, bookplate of the Duc de Vendome, first layer loose, gold edge, red morocco leather binding with gilded spine and covers, 15,5 x 9,5 cm, (Lö)

Provenance:
Property of the Empress, transferred after her assassination in 1898 by her daughters to her brother-in-law Duke Ferdinand von Alencon in her memory. With a handwriten note by the Duke d’Alencon: "Souvenir de l'Imperatrice Elisabeth d'Autriche ma belle soeur envoyes par ses filles 1898. Un cachet aux armes de l'Imperatrice. Un livre ancien(...) manuscrit enluminé (1738).

Three objects from the estate of Empress Elisabeth have come to this auction, the personal prayer book of the Empress, a personal seal of the Empress and a medallion with leaves from the place of Empress Elisabeth’s death. After the Empress’ death the objects were passed to her brother-in-law Ferdinand d'Orléans, duc d'Alencon (1844-1910) as a memorial to the assassinated Empress. Duke Ferdinand married the sister of the Empress Sophie Charlotte in 1868 and had a lifelong close relationship with the Empress. in the prayer book is in addition the bookplate of Emmanuel d'Orleans, duc de Vendome (1872-1932), the son of Duke Ferdinand, who was at the same time a godson of Empress Elisabeth.

saleroom notice: Information and support with the research were provided by Mr. Xavier Dufestel, Expert près les commissaires-priseurs, Paris