Observations sur l'ouvrage de Mr. le comte Ph. de Ségur, intitulé : Histoire de Napoléon et de la Grande-Armée pendant l'année 1812

First edition illustrated with 2 folding tables.

Only two copies recorded in the CCF (BnF and Strasbourg).

Bradel binding in full black paper boards, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and a gilt fleur-de-lys tool, tan shagreen title label, upper corners slightly rubbed, speckled edges. Slightly later binding.

Offset from an old paper in the left margin of the title page.

Despite its great popularity, the publication of "Histoire de Napoléon" by Philippe-Paul de Ségur (1780-1873), issued in 1824, prompted numerous reactions, responses, and corrections from many participants in the Russian campaign (Gourgaud’s, of extreme violence, remains particularly well known, as does the duel that followed).

For despite a romantic and epic style that accorded well with contemporary expectations of historical narrative, the work abounded in inaccuracies, errors, and above all judgments liable to offend contemporaries.

Baron von Völderndorff (1783-1847) was among these actors, having taken part in the Russian Campaign within the Bavarian corps commanded by General von Wrede.

Provenance: copy from the library of King Ernest Augustus of Hanover (1771-1851, uncle of Queen Victoria), with his ink stamp on the title page.