Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen | Grundsätze der höhern Kriegskunst und Beyspiele ihrer zweckmässigen Anwendung für die Generale der Österreichischen Armee, Vienna, 1808

Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen

Grundsätze der höhern Kriegskunst und Beyspiele ihrer zweckmässigen Anwendung für die Generale der Österreichischen Armee. Vienna: Aus der Kaiserl. Königl. Hof-und Staatsdruckerey, 1808

First illustrated edition, folio (388 x 270mm.), 25 HAND-COLOURED FOLDING ENGRAVED MAPS by Johann Renard, Kilian Ponheimer, and Anton & Hieronymus Benedict, one with two overlays, and four with a single overlay, near-contemporary red straight-grain morocco gilt in neoclassical style, covers framed by three decorative gilt rolls and alternating palmette and tulip tools, spine gilt with drum-and-weapon ornaments, green morocco labels, gilt-rolled turn-ins, blue marbled endpapers, gilt edges

This warfare manual for Austrian generals was written by one of that country’s most successful strategists, and this handsomely bound copy was owned by two generations of generals in the imperial army, the first of whom was promoted to Adjutant General by the author. Archduke Charles of Austria, Duke of Teschen (1771-1847), is sometimes one of the greatest generals in Europe; following his successes in the French Revolutionary Wars, Charles was named Imperial Field Marshal and President of the Court War Council by the emperor in 1801, and later that year also became Minister of War and Navy. Between 1801 and 1805, he set out to reorganize and reform the army for the challenges it would face in the new century; the present book arose from his efforts. First published in 1806, the text here draws heavily on the archduke’s strategies for his successful campaigns, and urges commanders to secure their own troops before turning their attention to attacking the enemy. The three sections of “Principles” address the fundamentals of offensive and defensive strategies, with much emphasis placed on defensive positions, arsenals, fortifications, protection of supply lines, and winter quarters. This illustrated edition was issued specifically for the use of Austrian generals in the Napoleonic Wars; the beautifully realized maps, printed on special blue paper and with careful hand colour, assist commanders in visualising the recommended fortifications and troop movements.

Louis Charles Folliot de Crenneville (1763-1840), was a French émigré with a distinguished record of service. He received the Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa for his service against his former countrymen in the Napoleonic Wars, and rose to the high rank of General of the Cavalry. He passed this volume on to his son, Franz Folliot de Crenneville (1815-88), an artillery general who served as Supreme Chamberlain to Emperor Franz Josef after retiring from the military. For his service to the emperor, he was elevated to the nobility as a Count.

REFERENCES: Pohler 3:599

PROVENANCE: Louis Charles Folliot de Crenneville, ownership inscription; Franz Carl Graf Folliot de Crenneville, bookplate and library shelf label