Juan Van HALEN
Mémoires. Premiere Partie contenant le recit de sa captivite dans les Cachots de L`Inquisition D`Espagne en 1817 et 1818 ; de son Evasion, etc. et Seconde Partie, contenant le recit de sa Campagne au Caucase, sous Yermolow, en 1819 et 1820, et de son retour en Espagne, en 1821
Jules Renouard|Paris 1827|13 x 21 cm|2 volumes reliés
Rare first edition, illustrated with 2 lithographed portraits at the frontispiece, a large folding map of Georgia, and 5 facsimile plates.
Half tan sheep binding with corners. Smooth spine decorated with 2 grotesque compartments, 2 tools and roulettes. Head of volume 2 partly worn at 2 mm. 2 wormholes along the lower joint at tail of volume 2. Rubbing. 2 corners slightly bumped. Scattered pale browning. Handsome copy.
A Spanish general of Belgian origin, Van Halen served from 1808 to 1813 on the staff of King Joseph Bonaparte in Spain, then became a general in Spain, this time against the French, a Russian colonel in the Caucasus and active mercenary in several conflicts, notably working in the 1830 Revolution in Belgium where he is a national hero. Between 1817 and 1818 he was a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition and suffered torture, then managed to escape and reached London. After a few months, this tireless adventurer left to seek service in Russia, the account of which occupies the second volume.
Half tan sheep binding with corners. Smooth spine decorated with 2 grotesque compartments, 2 tools and roulettes. Head of volume 2 partly worn at 2 mm. 2 wormholes along the lower joint at tail of volume 2. Rubbing. 2 corners slightly bumped. Scattered pale browning. Handsome copy.
A Spanish general of Belgian origin, Van Halen served from 1808 to 1813 on the staff of King Joseph Bonaparte in Spain, then became a general in Spain, this time against the French, a Russian colonel in the Caucasus and active mercenary in several conflicts, notably working in the 1830 Revolution in Belgium where he is a national hero. Between 1817 and 1818 he was a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition and suffered torture, then managed to escape and reached London. After a few months, this tireless adventurer left to seek service in Russia, the account of which occupies the second volume.
€650