Histoire de la guerre civile en Amérique

First edition, one of the scarce copies on Holland laid paper, not mentioned in the justification.

The seven volumes of text are in their original wrappers, with deckle edges preserved, showing small marginal tears and, at times, minor losses to certain spines and covers.

Our copy is complete with its in-folio atlas volume comprising 30 maps with outlines heightened in colour (cf. Vicaire VI, 397-398. F. Monaghan p. 74, no. 1157.)

The atlas is bound in contemporary full dark blue cloth, smooth spine, printed title label laid down on the spine, gilt device on the upper cover, a few scratches to the boards, contemporary binding.

This remains the finest contemporary work in French on the American Civil War, all the more compelling as its author took part in the campaign: grandson of Louis-Philippe, the Comte de Paris (1838-1894) enlisted in 1861 in the Federal Army alongside his brother, the Duc de Chartres. He saw action at Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and Gaines Mill, before leaving the United States in 1862 so as not to hinder the French expedition to Mexico.

The atlas bears the device of the Cercle de l'Union Artistique (stamp on a front free endpaper). Founded in 1860, the society remained active until 1946 (cf. Catalogue de la bibliothèque, 1901, p. 121).

A very rare and handsome large-paper copy, uncut and complete with the scarce atlas of 30 colour maps.