1869 Creasy 15 Decisive Battles Waterloo Military History Full Calf Leather For Sale

1869 Creasy Fifteen Decisive Battles 16th Ed Leather Bound

Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy. The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo. London: Richard Bentley, 1869. Sixteenth edition.

A handsome Victorian edition of one of the most influential works of popular military history, preserved in an attractive contemporary full polished calf binding.

First published in 1851, Creasy’s book examines fifteen battles that he believed changed the course of world history. His selections range from Marathon, Syracuse, Arbela, and the defeat of Varus to Hastings, Orléans, the Spanish Armada, Blenheim, Saratoga, Valmy, and Waterloo.

Of particular interest to American history collectors is Creasy’s discussion of the American victory at Saratoga in 1777, which he regarded as decisive in securing French intervention in the Revolutionary War. The volume also culminates with Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo.

Bibliographical Details

• London: Richard Bentley, 1869

• Sixteenth [1], 407 pages

• Illustrations within the text

• English full polished calf leather binding with:

  • Raised spine bands

  • Gilt-decorated spine compartments

  • Contrasting green morocco title label

  • Gilt rules and corner ornaments

  • Gilt detailing along the board edges

  • Marbled endpapers

  • Marbled page edges

  The warm polished calf, green leather label, gilt spine, and marbled papers give this copy considerably more visual appeal than ordinary cloth-bound examples.

  Condition

  Very good overall. The binding is firm and attractive, with securely attached boards and a sound text block. The leather has light rubbing, scuffing, and handling wear consistent with age, particularly at the corners, board edges, joints, raised bands, and spine ends.

  The gilt decoration and green morocco title label remain clear and presentable. The marbled endpapers and edges are well preserved. The text is generally clean, with occasional light scattered foxing and minor age toning. A contemporary ownership inscription dated 1874 appears at the front. No loose or detached leaves have been noted.

  Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

  An attractive leather-bound Victorian edition of a landmark work of military history, with strong appeal to collectors of classical warfare, British history, the American Revolution, Napoleon, Waterloo, and nineteenth-century bindings.