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Geschichte der Kriege in und ausser Europa vom Anfange des Ausstandes der brittischen Kolonien in Nordamerika an.

Author: KORN, Christoph Heinrich [attr.]

Publication place: Nuremberg

Publisher: Gabriel Nicolaus Raspe

Publication date: 1776–7.

Physical description: Three 4to volumes, first two volumes 205 by 160 mm each, third volume 215 by 170 mm, work in 12 parts, 12 engraved titles, containing 11 maps and plans in total, six folding, four coloured, eight engraved portraits of Revolutionary war figures, original blue paper binding, manuscript titles to spines.

Notes

One of the earliest European chronicles of the American War of Independence.

Christoph Heinrich Korn (1726–1783) was a German army officer and writer; ​‘Geschichte der Kriege’ is attributed to him by Howes. In total it contains thirty parts, but the first 12 present here deal with recent warfare in America. Part one brings the reader up to date on events to 1755. It contains a black and white plan of Boston, showing the batteries and powder store, and a folding coloured plan of North America with French nomenclature.

Part two is preceded by a view of Quebec and the St Lawrence River, and covers the period from the French and Indian War to the American War of Independence. Parts three to twelve begin with the Declaration of Independence and conclude at the end of 1777 (part ten also contains an index to the previous parts).

Part three is preceded by a plan of Quebec; part four is preceded by a plan of Fort Crown Point, constructed near the ruins of Fort Saint-Frédéric on Lake Champlain and captured by Revolutionary forces in 1775; part five contains a folding map of the island of Montreal after Nicolas Bellin, with an inset view of the city, and a folding coloured map of New England, New York and Pennsylvania. Montreal was captured by the British in 1763, a blow to French colonial authority in the area and providing economic stimulus through the fur trade, and fell to Revolutionary forces in 1775.

Part six is preceded by a plan of Pennsylvania, showing the grid system, and contains a folding coloured map of the island of New York after William Faden, showing Fort Washington and the positions of attack during the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776, which resulted in the British capture of New York. Part eight also contains a coloured folding map showing New York, this time the area covered by the Battle of White Plains in 1776. These two plans are amongst the very few battle plans showing New York from the Revolutionary War.

Part ten contains a folding map of Philadelphia and the Delaware, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was drawn up.

The work also contains eight portraits of key Revolutionary figures: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Rogers, John Hancock, Esek Hopkins, Israel Putnam and Charles Lee.

The number of parts of ​‘Geschichte der Kriege’ offered for sale vary, but we have been able to trace three copies of 12 parts at auction: at Ketterer Kunst Doerling in 2016 for €3,360; at Otto Lange in 1938 for $10; at Otto Lange in 1929 for $120.

Bibliography

Sabin 27213.

  • Sabin, J. (1962). A Dictionary of books relating to America. Amsterdam: Israel.




Stock number

12528
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The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard