WITH FOLIO HAND-COLORED VIEWS OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO
(NAPOLEON) (BOWYER, Robert, publisher). Campaign of Waterloo, Illustrated with Engravings. London: for Robert Bowyer, 1816. Large folio (13-1/2 by 19 inches), contemporary patterned green cloth rebacked in calf. $3500.
First edition of this contemporary illustrated account of the final defeat of Napoleon, with hand-colored aquatint views, including one large folding plate depicting the battle in progress as seen from Mont St. Jean, measuring 22-1/2 by 14 inches.
In addition to the large folding view, the remaining hand-colored aquatints (five views on three plates) show Les Quatre Bras, La Belle Alliance, Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte, and other principal scenes of action. Also includes a full-page military plan, portraits of the British and their allies (48 small oval portraits on one plate), portraits of the French aristocracy, statesmen and generals (50 small oval portraits on one plate), a history of the campaign and biographical notices of the leading participants. Watermarks dated 1814, 1816. Abbey, Life 355. Tooley 98. Owner pencil signature.
Front flyleaf with archival repair. Plates and text generally clean and fine, light rubbing to edges of contemporary cloth, nicely rebacked. An extremely good copy.