Précis historique sur la vie et les campagnes du vice-amiral comte Martin, grand officier de la Légion d'Honneur, chevalier de Saint-Louis[Historical précis of the life and campaigns of Vice Admiral Count Martin, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Knight of Saint Louis]
Uncommon first edition, cf. Polak 7724 (only three copies recorded in the CCF: Musée de la Marine, Angers, and Caen), illustrated with a portrait frontispiece of Count Martin lithographed on cream paper mounted, together with 6 folding lithographed maps hors texte.
Spine cracked with small losses, some foxing.
Rare copy complete with the extensive printer’s catalogue at the end of the volume.
This account of Admiral Pierre Martin (1752-1820) was published by his grandson, Denis Pouget (1808-1892), through his only daughter Marguerite. It notably discusses the fire-ship affair off the Île d’Aix, a naval battle between the British and the French which took place on 11–12 April 1809 during the Fifth Coalition, and which led to the Admiral’s near-permanent disgrace.