Journal of the Late Campaign in Egypt including Descriptions of That Country, and of Gibraltar, Minorca, Malta, Marmorice, and Macri; by Thomas Walsh, 1803
A richly illustrated contemporary account of Britain's campaign against Napoleon's forces in Egypt, written by Thomas Walsh, who served as aide-de-camp to Major-General Sir Eyre Coote during the expedition. Combining military history, travel writing, and antiquarian observation, Walsh describes not only the Egyptian campaign itself, but also Gibraltar, Minorca, Malta, Marmorice, Macri, Alexandria, Cairo, and the Nile. Particularly valued for its engraved views, maps, plans, costumes, and antiquarian illustrations, the work offered British readers a vivid account of regions and monuments then little known in Britain. Issued here in the scarce second edition of 1803, it remains one of the principal contemporary English accounts of the Egyptian campaign and the wider eastern Mediterranean theatre during the Napoleonic Wars.
Journal of the Late Campaign in Egypt including Descriptions of That Country, and of Gibraltar, Minorca, Malta, Marmorice, and Macri; With an Appendix; Containing Official Papers and Documents, by Thomas Walsh, Captain in His Majesty's Ninety-Third Regiment of Foot, Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B. and K.C.M.P. &c. Illustrated by Numerous Engravings of Antiquities, Views, Costumes, Plans, Postions, &c. The Second Edition.
Published by T. Cadell and W. Davies, in The Strand, London. Printed by Luke Hansard. The Second Edition, 1803 (the date has been worn away near the foot of the title page, but the book is stated as being the second edition which is known to have been issued in 1803).
A very good, professionally restored copy of this work. The original cover boards with leather spine and corners and marbled paper have been rebacked, with a new tan leather spine added, with raised bands, and black morocco title labels with gilt. covers rubbed. The book now soundly bound and retaining original marbled endpapers with cloth reinforcement at inner hinges.
Title with age toning and previous owner's signature - possible Adjutant Major J.B. Maxwell of Cairo (?).
Overall this is a very presentable and usable copy of the book - text is bright and clear and the restoration has included paper repairs where required. Occasional pencil annotation relating to the text in the margins. From the Subscribers' List to c. p87 there is marginal water staining at the lower corner, and more latterly along the lower edge of the text block, but not affecting the text to any significant degree. Worn/indented area to top edge of text block.
The plates and maps are in very good condition overall. Some sections of the text show some page darkening. Not all Plates are present (see full list below). Still a handsome and high quality volume.
Text in English.
viii + (17) Subscribers' List + 275pp + (1) Errata + (4) Appendix Prelims + 163pp Appendix + Plates and Maps.
Plate Collation:
Page Position: Plate/Map:
4 P3
12 M Minorca
14 P6/M Mahon/Candia (possibly unnumbered P5 and P6)
16 P7
18 P8/M Malta/Goza
20 P9/ M Valette
24 P10 & P11
44 P13/M Marmorice
46 P14
60 P16
80 P20 and P21 (col. Maps)
86 P22 (col. Map)
98 P23 (Col. Map)
99 P24 (large col. Map)
112 P25
124 P27 M Alexandria
132 P28 and P29
144 P30 and P31
204 PXXXVI (large map of Nile)
210 P36 (large col. map west of Alexandria)
222 P37 (large col. map west of Alexandria)
240 P26
246 P43 (large view of Rosetta)
163 (After Appendix) P1 and P2 (XL col. Map of Egypt).
P = Plate
M = Map
Some Maps are designated with Plate numbers.
Some Plates are 2 Plates on the one page.
29 Plates total including 7 coloured map sheets (covering 8 Plates). Includes fold-outs. Probably missing c. 20 Plates in total including 6 single page aquatints.
Dimensions: approximately 272mm high x 220mm wide x 50mm deep.
Weight: approximately 1640g (unpacked).