LANDMAN (George Thomas). HISTORICAL, Military and picturesque observations on Portugal. London. 1818.

LANDMAN (George Thomas). HISTORICAL, Military and picturesque observations on Portugal. London. 1818.
LANDMAN (George Thomas)
HISTORICAL, Military and picturesque observations on Portugal. Illustrated by seventy-five coloured plates, including authentic plans of the sieges and battles fought in the Peninsula during the late war. London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1818.

2 v.: [10], XVI, 608 pp., 20 gravs; [2], XIV, 294, [2 br.], 204, 32 pp., 56 gravs.: il.; 380 mm.

FIRST Edition of one of the most beautiful illustrated books about Portugal. The 76 engravings are made up of, in the first volume, 4 colored watercolors about the inquisition, 2 numismatic engravings and 14 watercolored maps and plans, two of which are foldable; in the second volume, 56 colored aquatints from various regions of Portugal, including a fold-out engraving by Alcácer do Sal, not described in the index. George Thomas Landmann (1799-1854), an English soldier with an interesting career, after stints in England and Canada, arrived in the Iberian Peninsula in 1806, where he held various positions, commanded troops, led the construction of bridges (Abrantes, Punhete, etc. ) important for the passage of troops during the war, he reconnoitred terrain (Vimeiro, Vila Velha, Idanha a Nova, etc.) and outlined attack plans for his hierarchical superiors, participating in several important battles of the Peninsular War. He returned to London, in the company of the Spanish ambassador, in 1812, never returning to the Peninsula. In addition to this typographic monument, he wrote Adventures and Recollections of Colonel Landmann, London, 1852 and Recollections of my Military Life, London, 1854, as well as a review of his Father's work, Principles of Fortification, London, 1831. Very rare and valuable.

¶ Duarte Sousa, II, 398; Dic. Guerra Peninsular, II, p. 192; Importante Biblioteca Particular, V, 432