Following the signing of the Treaty of Fontainebleau and the abdication and exile of Napoleon to Elba, celebrations were held across Europe at the return of peace. In June 1814, the Prince Regent (the future George IV) welcomed Alexander I of Russia and Frederick William III of Prussia to London where he entertained them at his residence Carlton House. The arrival of the Russian Tsar and Prussian King was met with great rejoicing and people lined the streets to see the processions through the capital. This commemorative volume provides an account of the visit of the royal party to the City of London. It was prepared by the Corporation of London and probably presented by them to the Prince Regent for inclusion in his library.

Only months after the visit, Napoleon escaped from his exile on Elba and returned to France where he reigned for 100 days until his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815.

This was one of the books selected by the Royal Librarian, Richard Rivington Holmes, in 1893 as a fine example of bookbinding in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.

Binding information

Bound by Charles Hering in red boarded goatskin, with the arms of George IV as Prince Regent on the covers. Quarter-arabesque style gold tooling to inner corners, with frame of blind stamped wheat roll tool, gilt eight-line fillet with knot effect, another blind stamped wheat roll and gold fillet line to exterior. Outside edges of boards have triangular wave roll tool and crosshatch tool. Spine divided into six compartments, with lettering to second and third, the rest with floral volute tooling. All edges gilt. Doublures of blue silk with roll tool and palmette tooling.