Commandant Jean-Baptiste Giraud [ed. by Commandant Léonce Grandin] — Le Carnet de Campagne Du Commandant Giraud: Documents Recueillis, Classã©S Et Mis En Ordre

Paris, Téqui, 1898. First edition. Leather. A very scarce and fascinating war dairy of a Napoleonic soldier who served in both the Egyptian Campaign and under Massena in the Peninsular War. Le Carnet de Campagne du Commandant Giraud (The Campaign Diary of Commander Giraud), a very scarce war diary of a Napoleonic soldier who served the French army from 1795-1813, collected, classified and arranged by his grandson Commandant Léonce Grandin.  Only one institutional copy of this work is held in the UK, at the British Library. In a lovely later half blue calf fine binding, with blue marble end papers. Blanks renewed, with the 1899 edition title leaf bound before the preserved half-title.  Contains two full-page illustrations and in-text illustrations. Collated complete. A fascinating historical source, the miltiary career of Commandent Jean-Baptiste Giraud covers the most famous and perhaps most turbulent period of French military history, including his involvement in Napoleon's Egyptian campaign and serving under André Masséna in the Peninsular War. Giraud regularly mentions the activities of his generals throughout his diary. In a lovely later half blue calf fine binding, with blue marble end papers. Blanks renewed, with the 1899 edition title leaf bound before the preserved half-title. Externally, in excellent condition, with minimal marks and edgewear. Marble end papers are bright and clean. Internally, firmly bound. Minor browning to 1899 title leaf. Pages are bright and clean, with minor age toning, marginally heavier to leaf edges. Fine . Ill.: Various. Fine .