Mémorial topographique et militaire
“If I had had Berthier, I would not have had this misfortune” (Napoleon speaking to Las Cases, at Saint Helena, about the defeat at Waterloo).
Sumptuous copy preserved in its morocco binding bearing the coat of arms of Marshal Berthier.
Octavo, cii and 246 pp., 1 folding map hand-colored.
Black long-grain morocco, gilt floral roll-tooled borders on covers, Marshal Berthier’s armorial arms with his initials AB stamped in gilt at center, smooth spine decorated with four gilt imperial eagles, decorated edges, gilt inner roll, pink silk doublures and endpapers, gilt edges. Contemporary binding.
197 x 127 mm.
[Berthier, Louis-Alexandre] Topographical and Military Memorial, compiled at the General War Depot; printed by order of the minister. No. 6 Historical, 4th quarter of Year 11.
Paris, Imperial Printing House, Prairial Year XIII [1805].
Berthier's copy, Marshal of the Empire.
Original edition of this important military topography, which predates by a few months the victories of Ulm and Austerlitz.
The work, adorned with a folding map of the Black Forest, presents surveys of Tyrol and the Black Forest, just months before the victories of Ulm and Austerlitz.
Ulm was a great victory conducted with genius.
After Ulm, it was still necessary to defeat the rest of the Austrian and Russian armies; this was accomplished at Austerlitz.
Under the Consulate, the establishment of the war depot strongly asserted its scientific value by producing maps of the highest standard, claimed to be far superior to those of Cassini.
This claim of scientific superiority is, moreover, stated in the Topographical and Military Memorial, which began to appear in 1802, at the very moment when the Topographical Commission was discussing the initiation of the future 1/80,000th map of France, known as the General Staff map.
Precious and very handsome copy on thick paper, bound in morocco with Marshal Berthier's arms and initials AB.
Louis-Alexandre Berthier is especially known as chief of staff of the Grande Armée. Directly assisting the Emperor during the day, he spent his nights gathering intelligence, organizing the armies, overseeing supply lines and the proper execution of orders, and, at a higher level, supervising the work of auxiliary services: he thus always took great interest in the surveys conducted by the geographic engineers in the occupied territories, which were essential to the army's advance.
Berthier played a very important role under the First Empire. The diversity of his work testifies to the richness of his intellect and worth. An excellent chief of staff, remarkable organizer, gifted diplomat, and courageous in battle, he was also a loyal friend to Napoleon and devoted himself to his leader with affection and complete obedience. He was thus showered with wealth and honors: in May 1804, he was made Marshal of the Empire; in July 1804, Grand Huntsman; in February 1805, Grand Eagle and head of the 1st Cohort of the Legion of Honor; in August 1805, major general of the Grande Armée; in March 1806, Prince of Neuchâtel and Valangin; in August 1807, Vice-Constable; in August 1809, Prince of Wagram.
Provenance: from the library of Grosbois, with ex-libris.
