FORTIFICATION

See his entry in Encyclopaedia Britannica. Not to be confused with Fleury (1815-1884), whose handwriting is markedly different. 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Neatly folded twice. Reads: ?Le G?n?ral Fleury se rendra avec le plus grand plaisir a l?invitation que Madame la Bne: de Seebach lui a fait l?honneur de lui adresser. / Paris. 2 Mai 1856.? The recipient is presumably the mother of the Alsatian artist Baron Lothar von Seebach (1853-1930).

An interesting document, neatly laid out in black with red underlining on both sides of 29 x 42 cm leaf. Painted in black lengthwise near one edge is ‘Winchelsea / 1805’, and 1805 would be a good year for the document’s composition, with Britain fighting the Napoleonic Wars and in the midst of invasion fears around the time of the Battle of Trafalgar. 2pp, large folio. On thick laid paper watermarked either ‘VI’ or ‘IV’ (depending on which side you look from). In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with closed tears and one nick (not affecting text) along central horizontal fold.

Dimensions of paper roughly. Creased, with fraying to extremities, closed tears, and some staining and fading due to damp. A careful production, detailing the fortification to the towns of Bilstein (north-east of Cologne), Junkermuehle and Nassenstein, in black, yellow, red and green, with attractive lettering. 'References' are to 'barbed wire entanglements', 'main roads', 'Woods', 'stream', 'bye Roads' and 'Bridges'. Pencil additions include position of 'SNIPERS'. Ascribed at foot to 'Cpl. A. Hunter' and dated 'February 1919'.