Description of the illuminacy in the city of J. K. M. Warsaw on the occasion of the annual commemoration of the Coronation of J. K. M. on November 25, 1789.
Warsaw leaflet print describing illuminations on the now defunct city hall.
Among other things, we read there: "This edifice was densely illuminated with olive lamps (...). At the beginning of the Town Hall itself, in its part, and from the western gate, the top of the stores was decorated with numerous Obelisks made of colored lamps, which Obelisks were connected with each other by a beautiful symmetry, festoons unfolded at the bottom, made of the same lights: and in the base of the festoons stood the flags of various City Guilds, several of them joined together in shape (...). The entire Town Hall facade (...) was also illuminated by colored fires. On the very top one could see a sun made of several hundred lamps, in the middle of which shone the Namesake Number of our reigning boday in the hundred years of Stanislaw August. (...) In the middle of the façade was placed a painting "on transparency", which showed the throne and royal insignia, with an allegory of the Genius of Cities kneeling before them. The illumination, which began around 5 o'clock in the afternoon, lasted several hours, entertaining "the people in great multitude from all parts of the City gathered." Senators, ministers and land deputies graced the ceremony with their presence; the King himself also appeared there, "behind whose gracious arrival, universal joy full of kind words: Vivat the King with the Nation, repeated in a thousand voices."
Hardcover 19th century. Handmade paper. Very good condition.
Number of pages: 4
Format : 15 x 16 [cm].
RARE
Additional note :
" At the beginning of January 1790, an engraving appeared for sale, as reported by "Gazeta Warszawska", entitled View of the illuminated City Hall of Starey Warszawy on the day of the Coronation of the Nayiasnieysze STANISLAW AUGUST the King of Poland W. X. L. November 25, 1789. The copperplate was available for purchase in the Kock bookstore opposite St. John's Cathedral; a colored piece cost 5 zloty. Magnificent in size (composition 260 x 440 mm), it was provided with an elaborate signature : C. Klopsch sculpsit à Warsavia den. 25. novem: Aõ: 1789. The author of the engraving was German engraver C. C. Klopsch. "