Coulommiers

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on Japan paper, with no mention of such.

Illustrated with a portrait frontispiece and 15 full-page illustrations within the text.

Contemporary half red shagreen binding with corners, spine in five compartments ruled in black, marbled paper boards, black stains at the foot of the upper cover, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt.

Minor rubbing and small losses to the spine, a few light foxing marks. 

Written by one of the defenders of the citadel of Bitche during the Franco-Prussian War, this account constitutes a tribute to Colonel Louis-Casimir Teyssier (1821–1916), who managed to hold the stronghold for seven months with fewer than 3,000 men against 20,000 well-equipped Prussian and Bavarian troops stationed around the town, and who only surrendered upon the express orders of the French government on 26 March 1871.

First Edition printed in 100 copies, 50 out of trade.
Binding in the bradel in half percaline Sienna, smooth back decorated with a gilt finial, double gilded nets in tail, title piece of black shagreen, marbled paper plates, guards and contreplats of orange paper, preserved covers, Contemporary binding.
Some small freckles without gravity.
Rare book illustrated frontispiece of an engraved portrait of Captain Husson.
Autograph dedication signed by Georges Husson to Captain Pineau.

The first edition, published in a small number of copies of this offprint from the Revue de Paris.
Handsome and rare copy.