TODLEBEN, ED. v. (EDOUARD IVANOVICH).

Die Vertheidigung von Sebastopol. Nach authentischen Quellen dargestellt, unter Leitung des general-Lieutnant, General-Adjutanten S.M. des Kaisers. Uebersetzung aus dem Russischen. 2 Theile in 4 Bde. (1. Theil: Bd. 1-2; 2. Theil: Bd. 1-2). + Atlas der Karten und Plaene (4 Parts).

St-Pétersburg, Thieblin & Co., 1864-72. 4to., Elephant-folio (82 x 57 cm.) a. folio (54 x 42 cm.). Textvolumes: 4 contemp hcalf. Gilt spines. Gilt lettering. Stamps on title-pages. 6,III,XXXVIII,323,(2);(4),III,324-727,(2) - (4),II,III,448,(2);VIII,546,(2) pp.+ "Anhänge" 129 pp. (in "Erster Theil"). Wide-margined, internally clean and fine. - 2 Atlases in elephant-folio: both with printed title-page and printed leaf: "Erklaerung der Karten un Plaenen". Both in original printed portfolios with ties (wear to extremities). The first having 7 maps (a preliminary atlas ??), the second having 14 (I-XIV) maps and some of the 7 maps from the first are repeated in the second portfolio. The maps and plans numbered XV-XXVII are bound in 2 contemp. hcalf. As some of the maps in the first atlas are not repeated in the second, the whole set of maps and plans exceeds 30. The larger maps are lithographed with toning, some of the plates and plans are engraved. Some of the larger maps are strenghtened in folding on verso. A few plans are handcoloured.
A supplementary-volume attached: Atlas der Plaene und Zeichnungen zu der beschreibung der vertheidigung von Sebastopol, nebst Angabe der Geschuetz-Armierung. Sanct-Petersburg, 1864. Folio-oblong. Original printed wrappers. Having 8 (of 27 ??) lithographed plates.

Scarce first German edition. During the Crimean War, Totleben was instrumental in organizing the defense of Sevastopol’ (1854-55). Improving on the theories of A. Z. Teliakovskii, he adapted fortifications to the terrain, siting them so as to preclude outflanking; arranged batteries to fire at a single target; made use of lodgments to prepare firing positions; and made extensive use of buried land mines.

Order-nr.: 58501