Ochterlony, Lieutenant John

The Chinese War: an Account of all the Operations of the British Forces from the Commencement to the Treaty of Nanking

Hardcover, London: Saunders and Otley, 1844. First Edition; First Printing. Very Good+. John Ochterlony (1813-1863) was an officer in the Madras Engineers (Madras Sappers and Miners) of the British East India Company. He saw active combat along with his engineering duties throughout the Opium War. He was present for major engagments including the assault on Amoy and the operations at Ningpo. He was later stationed in Hong Kong where he oversaw the construction of fortifications. He served as Garrison Engineer on Kellet's Island until 1843. Ochterlony chose to write his account of the Opium War as an academic military history and not a first person account. It is nevertheless considered a primary source for the Opium War written by an actual combatant in the war. Illustrated with 47 black and white plates, many taken from Ochterlony's own sketches he drew during the war. Also contains 6 maps. Bound in three quarters leather with marbled paper covered boards. Bookplate of previous owner on front pastedown. The 47 plates were printed on very cheap paper and inserted into the book by the binder. The very cheap paper has browned and spotted over the years - it is very susceptible to humidity dampstaining that simply does not affect the rest of the pages. Rubbing to bottom edges of boards. Minor rubbing to top edges of boards. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 522 pages. [Item #82779]

Price: $1,000.00