TIELKE, Johann Gottlieb - An Account of the War Between the Prussians, Austrians and Russians, from 1756 to 1763 (1787-8)

TIELKE, Johann Gottlieb

An Account of Some of the Most Remarkable Events of the War Between the Prussians, Austrians and Russians, from 1756 to 1763: And a Treatise on Several Branches of the Military Art, with Plans and Maps

London: Printed for the translators and sold by J. Walter, 1787-8. First edition in English, translated from the second edition of the German original by Captain C. Craufurd, Queen's Regiment of Dragoon Guards, and Captain R. Craufurd, 104th Regiment.

A scarce first English edition of an eyewitness Prussian account of the Seven Years' War, complete save for a single plate

Two volumes. Pp. lvi + 288 + xvi + 414 + [2] (translators' advertisement, verso blank). Thirteen of fourteen folding plates present, including maps and plans, four with hand coloured highlights, lacking plate IV in volume II. Lists of subscribers present. Tall demy octavo. Early calf, sympathetically rebacked with later spines ruled in gilt around raised bands, gilt lettered maroon and green title and volume labels to spine.

The first English translation of Tielke's account of the Seven Years' War, drawn from his own service in the Prussian army, including the shelling of Küstrin in 1758, where he was present, and the Battle of Torgau in 1760, where he was wounded. Beyond the narrative of campaigns between the Prussian, Austrian, and Russian forces, the work includes a treatise on several branches of contemporary military art, illustrated throughout with the original folding maps and plans. Tielke's writings on fortification and tactics were influential enough to warrant this English translation within a few years of the German original, undertaken by two serving British officers.

Boards with edges slightly rubbed and fore-corners lightly worn. Spines sympathetically rebacked at some point after publication, ruled in gilt around raised bands with gilt lettered maroon and green title and volume labels, the rebacking consistent throughout both volumes. Endpapers replaced. Front pastedowns carry the bookplate of David Levine, and an early inked ownership inscription appears at the head of both title pages. Volume II shows a small damp stain to the top edge of a few leaves, a smaller ink stain to the fore edge of a few leaves, and a five centimetre closed marginal tear to the bottom fore edge of pages 237 and 238, not affecting text. Light foxing throughout, generally minor. Lacking plate IV in volume II, all other plates present and complete, thirteen of the original fourteen.

A sound, complete set save for one plate, in an attractive contemporary calf binding with sympathetic later rebacking, carrying a traceable Sydney provenance through the David Levine bookplate.