"THIS INFERNAL EGYPT! NOTHING BUT A WASTE OF SAND": LETTERS FROM NAPOLEON'S EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN

(BONAPARTE, Napoleon). Copies of Original Letters from the French Army in Egypt… Parts I, II and III. London: J. Wright, 1799-1800. Three volumes. Octavo, later three-quarter straight-grain red morocco gilt, spines decorated with gilt Napoleonic imperial emblems, all edges gilt. $2200.

Complete three-volume set of French correspondence intercepted during Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt, extra-illustrated with portraits and handsomely bound by Morrell.

During the French invasion of Egypt in 1798-1801, Turkish and English warships intercepted large numbers of both official and personal letters written by members of the French army. Selected portions of this correspondence were translated and published in order to offer the British public a better picture of Napoleon's Egyptian expedition "with respect to the real situation of the Army in Egypt; its views and successes, its miseries and disappointments" (I, ii)—as well as to propagandize against the French. Included in these three volumes are letters from General Jean-Baptiste Kléber, General Antoine Charles de Lasalle (identified here as "C. Lasalle, Chief of Brigade"), Pierre Amédée Jaubert (Napoleon's interpreter in Egypt) and Bonaparte himself. Also present are missives from less well-known soldiers, one of whom wrote to his wife that he was disgusted with the general state of affairs: "We wish vehemently—ay, and very vehemently to return to France… This infernal Egypt! nothing but a waste of sand" (II, 182-83). Altogether, these letters serve as an important source of information on Napoleon and his efforts in Egypt. Parts I and II were first published with accompanying English translations in 1798 and 1799 and immediately went through numerous printings; part I is here in the stated sixth and part II in the fifth, while part III appears here with an undated half title and without the title page. Without final advertisement leaves. This set features added illustrations: engraved portraits of Napoleon, Lord Nelson, and General Kléber are present along with the publisher's folding map of lower Egypt and folding facsimile letter from Napoleon. Part I title page with faint early inked inscription in upper margin and one now-removed inscription at center of page.

Scattered light foxing. A beautifully bound set of all three parts in near-fine condition.