GRIBAYEDOFF, Valerian. The French Invasion of Ireland in ‘98.

Leaves of unwritten history that tell of an Heroic Endeavour and a Lost Opportunity to Throw off England’s Yoke. With a map, and numerous illustrations by well-known artists. New York: Somerby, 1890. pp.
192, 14 (plates). Crown octavo. Burgundy cloth, title in gilt on spine and in black on upper cover with gilt decoration of Pikes. Wear to spine-ends. A very good copy of a scarce item. €265 Valerian Michaelovich Gribayedoff (1858-1908) was a Russian journalist and illustrator most famous for introducing illustrated drawings into newspapers and capturing some of the only photos during the trial for the Dreyfus Affair in 1897. He was born in Kronstadt, Russia in 1858, and many believed him to have been of noble birth, possibly related to Alexander Griboyedov. Educated in St. Petersburg, England, France, and Germany, he came later to America working as a journalist, rising to prominence by recreating drawings from photos to be included in the newspapers that were more life-like than any others in the field. His only book, The French Invasion of Ireland in ‘98, was published in 1890. Illustrations included: Castlebar; Arrival of the French Vessels; Portrait of General Sarrazin; Portrait of Marquis Cornwallis; Sarrazin Embraces a Patriot’s Corpse; The March to Castlebar; Portrait of General Hutchinson; [General] Lake’s Flight from Castlebar; The Ball after the Battle; Map of Connaught; Portrait of Colonel Charles Vereker; Retreat of the French; The Gory Heights of Ballinamuck; The Battle of Killala. “Authorities” sourced listed on p. 7-8.