Rare first edition of an illustrated account of the Anglo-Russian invasion of North Holland in August 1799. In the so-called Helder Expedition, Russian and English troops attempted to restore the stadholderate to the House of Orange and liberate the Low Countries from the French invaders. They fought several battles, but were defeated in the Battle of Castricum after an unexpected attack. The English and Russian troops were forced to retreat and left North Holland in October of the same year. The present work offers an account of these two months of fighting, including tactical information and letters from the commanders. The plates show views of Den Helder, Oude Sluis, Schagen, Bergen, Alkmaar, Egmond aan Zee and Egmond op den Hoef, where the battles took place.
With the bookplate of Sir Bernard Eyre Greenwell (1874-1939) mounted on the front pastedown. The edges and corners of the boards are somewhat scuffed. A ballpoint scratch on the title page, a water stain in the corners of the inner margin in the first few leaves and several leaves in the middle, not affecting the text, occasional foxing, the ink of the plates is slightly offset on the facing page. Otherwise in good condition. ESTC T117434; WorldCat 67017621.