Eloge historique de Jean-Bart, chef d'escadre des armées navales de France, chevalier de l'Ordre royal et militaire de S. Louis, relatif à la collection des dix-neuf combats de ce célèbre marin, gravés par M. Le Gouaz

First edition, illustrated with two plates, including an engraved portrait frontispiece by S. Desmaretz and Couché after Scheibler, together with an engraved headpiece by De Launay (cf. Quérard, VII, 240; Polak, 7650).

Account of the career of Jean Bart, squadron leader in the French Navy and Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, forming part of the collection devoted to the nineteen engagements of this celebrated seaman, engraved by M. Le Gouaz; followed by historical, biographical and topographical notes on the origins of Dunkirk and the political importance of its port (...). With engraved plates and vignettes. Dedicated to H.E. the Minister of the Navy and the Colonies. Paris, Arthus Bertrand [printed by P. Didot the Elder], 1807, 8vo.

Contemporary half cherry calf, smooth spine very slightly cocked and tooled in gilt with fillets, garlands and fan tools, marbled paper sides, marbled edges, corners a little rubbed; mid-19th-century binding.

Paper repairs to the lower outer corners of pp. 125–126 and 127–128.

The only edition of this very rare short monograph, published as much in praise of Dunkirk as of Jean Bart. The second part bears its own title: Coup-d'oeil sur Dunkerque, sa population progressive depuis 1685 jusqu'en 1789, et le grand nombre de ses célèbres marins qui ont précédé et suivi Jean-Bart. A lawyer from Dunkirk, Louis-Eugène Poirier (1753–1818) came to notice after the fall of Robespierre for his vehement denunciation of the actions of Joseph Lebon at Arras.