GUILLAUME DE VAUDONCOURT (1772-1845, Frédéric François, French Artillery General of Brigade, Military Historian and Cartographer)

Autograph Letter Signed in French with translation, to Monsieur Anselin, Bookseller in Paris, about his work on the war in Russia, explaining that he did not immediately send the copper plates in his possession, since he needed to refer back to his agreement with M. Barrois of 24th May 1815, detailing the relevant provisions for an original edition of 1025 copies and any reprinting, Anselin has taken over the remaining stock from Barrois' bankruptcy, clearly Barrois thought that the first edition had been completed, and paid Guillaume in full, so that Guillaume was not a party to the bankruptcy, but Barrois kept back some copper plates in case of a reprint. Since in fact there are copies of the text of the original edition lacking plates, Guillaume readily allows Anselin to use them, but suggests a form of agreement preserving Guillaume's rights in case of reprinting, naming the plates in his possession, ('Battle of Mohilov', 'Environs of Polotzk' ... 'Battle of Gorodeczno' ... 'Battle of Wiazma'), 2 sides 8vo, address on conjugate leaf, 10 rue de Ponthieu, Paris, 22nd April

Guillaume served in Italy and Prussia but at the second restoration of Louis XVIII was accused of joing the Metz conspiracy and condemned to death in absence, returning to France only under the amnesty of 1825. His works include a history of Hannibal's campaigns (1812), and of the crossing of the Berezina in Russia in 1812 (London, 1815). From 1825-1829 he edited the Journal des sciences militaires.

Item Date:  1844

Stock No:  52775      £275

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