GENERAL SEGUR'S CONTROVERSIAL HISTORY OF NAPOLEON'S EXPEDITION TO RUSSIA, WITH FOLDING MAP

SEGUR, Count Philip de. History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon, in the year 1812. London: Treuttel and Wurtz, et al., 1825. Octavo, modern full brown calf, raised bands, red and black morocco spine labels, uncut. $1500.

First edition in English of Segur's controversial account of Napoleon's ill-fated expedition to Russia, illustrated with frontispiece portrait of Napoleon in Volume I, engraved folding map showing the French Army's route from Paris to Moscow and six lithographed plates. An uncut copy, nicely bound.

Count Philippe de Ségur enlisted in the cavalry in 1800, was attached to Napoleon's personal staff, served with distinction in most of the important campaigns of the first empire, and was frequently employed on diplomatic missions. As general of brigade he took part in the Russian campaign of 1812, and in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 he repeatedly distinguished himself. His rather unfavorable portrait of Napoleon in his History, first published in France in 1824, sparked protests from some of the other general officers. General Gourgaud went so far as to challenge Count Ségur to a duel, in which Ségur was wounded. Bound with half titles. Lowndes, 2236.

Light foxing and spotting, chiefly marginal; binding fine and attractive.