What on earth is a museum devoted to Napoleon doing in Havana, Cuba?

Tucked away in a corner of Havana, far from the tourist areas of the old city, the Museo Napoleónico is arguably the finest museum of the Napoleonic era to be found outside of France. On four floors of a Florentine-style mansion can be found some of the most important treasures of Western European history. Immense court paintings of Napoleon and his family; unique sculptures, busts and porcelain works; masterworks of furniture; swords, rifles and guns belonging to Napoleon, his Marshals and generals; Napoleon's hat and spyglass; and, a wide variety of items that exemplify the unique artistic style and history of Europe after the French Revolution. The artifacts, and over 5000 books & lithographs, are presented throughout the museum.

The Museo Napoleónico is based upon the collection of Julio Lobo Olavarría - the richest man in Cuba prior to the Revolution of 1959. Lobo assembled the collection by purchasing items from around the world and bringing them to Cuba. After the revolution, Julio Lobo left Cuba and his collection was safeguarded by his niece. On December 2, 1961, the museum was first opened to the public.

While a visit to Cuba may not possible for everyone, for the first time ever, an official catalogue of the museum's inventory enables interested readers from around the world to examine, study and appreciate the treasures that are contained within this museum. Each chapter begins with text placing the items into their historical and/or artistic context and it is illustrated with hundreds of full colour photographs. If you are planning your visit to Havana, it is the perfect accompaniment for your tour of this museum.

This book is the perfect resource for anyone interested in the first French Empire, Napoleonic history, art and the material culture of the era. At over 350 pages, with almost 100 pages of written text and more than 300 photos, this book is not just a illustrative record of the museum collection. It has extensive sections detailing sculptures; artwork, timepieces, furniture, glass/metal works, arms, and miscellanies. It is a reference book, comparative resource, a Napoleonic history and a history of Cuba - all at the same time.

This book is the result of almost 10 years researching and photographing every item in the museum inventory including many months spent inside the museum with the full cooperation of the Museo Napoleónico and the Office of the Historiador of the City of Havana. The author, Luke Dalla Bona, is a Canadian archaeologist and Napoleonic historian. He is a fellow of the International Napoleonic Society and a member of Masséna Society.