Coronation Albums
Within the extensive Russian Imperial holdings of the New York Public Library, a particularly rare and noteworthy set comprises coronation albums of the tsars, representing the most substantial collection of its kind outside of Russia. These opulent and meticulously crafted albums serve as comprehensive visual records. They offer detailed documentation of the grandiose celebrations surrounding the coronation ceremonies, capturing not only the main event but also the associated festivities and rituals. The albums provide a lavish glimpse into the intricate and splendid moments of these significant Imperial Russian historical occasions. The collection includes coronation albums for:
- Michael I, 1613 (as Kniga ob izbranĭi na ︠t︡sarstvo Velikago Gosu dar︠i︡a, ︠T︡sar︠i︡a i Velikago kn︠i︡az︠i︡a Mikhaila Ḟedorovicha, 1856).
- Empress Catherine Alekseevna, 1724 (text publ. in Kamer-furʹerskīĭ ︠t︡seremonīalʹnyĭ zhurnal, 1762),
- Empress Anna Ioanovna, 1730 (Opisanīe korona︠t︡sīi E︠i︡a Velīchestva Imperatrī︠t︡sy, i Samoderzhī︠t︡sy Vserossīĭskoi..., 1730),
- Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, 1742 [in Russian as Obsto︠i︡atelʹnoe opisanīe torzhestvennykh por︠i︡adkov blagopoluchnago vshestvi︠i︡a v ︠t︡sarstvu︠i︡ushchīĭ grad Moskvu..., 1744 and in German as Krönungs-Geschichte oder Umständliche Beschreibung des solennen Einzugs, und der hohen Salbung und Krönung Ihro Kayserl. Majest. ... Elisabeth Petrowna..., 1745]),
- Empress Catherine II, 1762 (text publ. in Kamer-Fur'erskii zhurnal, 1762 and illustrations publ. as Risunki prinadlezhashchīe k Opisanī︠i︡u koronovanī︠i︡a imperatri︠t︡sy Ekateriny II, 185?),
- Emperor Alexander II and his consort Mariia Aleksandrovna, 1856 (In Russian as Opisanï︠i︡e sv︠i︡ashch︠i︡enn︠i︡eĭshago koronovanï︠i︡a ikh Imperatorskikh Velichestv Gosudar︠i︡a Imperatora Aleksandra Vtorago i Gosudaryni Imperatri︠t︡sy Marīi Aleksandrovny Vse︠i︡a Rossīi, 1856 and in French as Description du sacre et du couronnement de leurs majestés impériales l'Empereur Alexandre II et l'Impératrice Marie Alexandrovna,1856)
- Emperor Alexander III and his consort Mariia Fedorovna, 1883 (Opisanie sviashchennago koronovaniia ikh Imperatorskikh Velichestv Gosudaria Imperatora Aleksandra Tretiago i Gosudaryni Imperatritsy Marii Fedorovny vseia Rossii, publ. 1883),
- Emperor Nicholas II and his consort Alexandra Feodorovna, 1896 (Korona︠t︡sīonnyĭ sbornik: s soizvolenī︠i︡a ego Imperatorskago Velichestva Gosudar︠i︡a Imperatora, 1899)
For more information see: Richard Wortman and Edward Kasinec. “The Mythology of Empire: Imperial Russian Coronation Albums” Biblion 1, no. 1 (Fall 1992): 77-100.
