The magazine 1885 with autographs of Emperor Alexander III

On the cover: "M. Brissen. The head of the Council, the Minister of Justice."

Alexander III — Emperor of Russia, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland. A conservative who carried out counter-reforms, as well as the Russification of national suburbs. He went down in history as a peacemaker tsar - during his reign, Russia did not participate in any full—scale war, while actively engaged in resolving European conflicts. Under Alexander III, stable economic growth began in the country, industry and railway infrastructure developed, the authorities created a land lending system, spending on the army was reduced, but its efficiency and defense capability increased, a large-scale modernization of the fleet took place, and the Orthodox Church strengthened. All of Alexander III's internal reforms were aimed at reversing the liberalization that occurred during his father's reign. The new emperor believed that remaining faithful to Russian Orthodoxy, the autocracy and the nationality would save Russia from revolutionary unrest.

L'Illustration was a French weekly magazine published in 1843-1944. The founder of the magazine was French journalist Edouard Charton. The first issue was published on March 4, 1843, the weekly became the first illustrated newspaper in France, and then, after 1906, the first international illustrated magazine. According to the researchers, the magazine defended Christian values and was Russophile during the Franco-Russian union. It is known that this magazine was systematically delivered to the Russian imperial house.

At the 2018 Christie's auction, a lot of magazines marked by three emperors — Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II - was presented.

It is noteworthy that from the very beginning of its existence, in the second half of the 19th century, L'Illustration attracted the best draughtsmen of that time, lured the best engravers of Paris, contributing to the popularization of woodcuts due to its increasingly widespread distribution.

In 1891, L'Illustration became the first French newspaper to publish photography. In 1907, L'Illustration was the first to publish color photography.