1 / 4
an old book with a picture of a tree on itan old drawing of a plan of a building with a staircase leading up to itan old book sitting on top of a white surfacean open book with a black and white title on it
Maître Paul PASTAUD

743 - [MESNIL-DURAND (François-Jean de Graindorge d’Orgeville, Bar…
See original version (French)

Estimate €350 - €400
Sale commission
Description
[MESNIL-DURAND (François-Jean de Graindorge d’Orgeville, Baron de)]. A Proposal for a French Order of Battle, or the Split and Doubled Phalanx, Supported by a Mix of Arms, Proposed as a General System (...) which is in essence nothing other than the system of the Chevalier de Folard, expanded and developed, to which have been added ideas from the greatest masters, particularly Marshal Saxe (...). Paris: Printed by Antoine Boudet, 1755. In-4, XXIX-1-446-[2] pp., 16 folding plates, marbled calfskin, decorated ribbed spine, gilt roulette on the edges, edges speckled with red (contemporary binding). The top joint of the upper cover is cracked, with a few small areas of skin loss. Very slight water stains in the corners, rare foxing. A seminal treatise on column tactics, published by Charles Graindorge d’Orgeville, Baron de Mesnil-Durand (1735–1799), then in his early twenties. Opposed to the traditional linear order of battle, the author develops the theory of the ‘deep order’, inspired by Folard and Marshal de Saxe, which sparked one of the most famous military controversies of the 18th century. Tested during the Vaussieux manoeuvres in 1778 against Guibert’s system, his ideas—though ultimately rejected—made a lasting contribution to the renewal of French tactical thinking. A copy from the library of Shirburn Castle, belonging to the Earls of Macclesfield, with ex-libris vignettes pasted onto the front endpapers, and embossed coats of arms on the first pages.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 2 of 4 – Nos. 550 to 1084
Auction location
Auction time 08/20/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like