London, a la Compagnie, 1739. 8vo. Uniformly bound in two nice Cambridge-style mirror binding with five raised bands and richly gilt spines. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spines. All edges coloured in red. (4), 246 pp. + frontispiece (4), 206, 15 pp.
The uncommon first edition of Mauvillon’s account Prince Eugene of Savoy’s life. Prince Eugene of Savoy was a highly successful military leader who served the Habsburg Monarchy, spanning several decades and three Holy Roman Emperors. He achieved fame through victories against the Ottoman Turks, notably at the Battle of Zenta in 1697. His partnership with the Duke of Marlborough led to victories in the War of the Spanish Succession and he also secured triumphs in northern Italy and against the Ottomans in subsequent conflicts. He is remembered for saving the Habsburg Empire from French conquest, halting Ottoman expansion and contributing to Vienna's architectural legacy.