First edition of this collection of observations and reports on French Algeria, whose pacification had just been completed (cf. Quérard VI 70, Playfair 1264. See also Gay 953 and Tailliart 812).
Contemporary bindings in half bottle-green sheep, flat spines decorated with gilt fillets and triple gilt panels, a gilt fillet framing a large plaque decorated with blind-stamped motifs on the percaline-covered boards, school stamp [Pensionnat de M. Ballé], marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, gilt fillets at head- and tailcaps, period bindings.
Some restorations to spine ends and joints; school prize labels affixed opposite the half-titles.
The work is sometimes attributed to Jean-Joseph, elder brother of Baptistin (1809–1864), who was more prolific and better known (success attracts credit): "Un des livres importants pour la description de l'Algérie ; il contient une foule de renseignements de toute nature et des vues personnelles sur un certain nombre de questions algériennes".