OTTOMAN MILITARY ACADEMY. Muhaberât-I Meshure-i Osmaniye Albümü. Istanbul: Royal War Office, under the Patronage of Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, 1323AH [1908].

OTTOMAN MILITARY ACADEMY. Muhaberât-I Meshure-i Osmaniye Albümü. Istanbul: Royal War Office, under the Patronage of Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, 1323AH [1908].

Presentation copy of one of the rarest Ottoman military atlases, from the book's patron and promoter, Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, Ottoman field marshal and later Grand Vizier, to his son, Mahmud Muhtar Pasha, military officer and diplomat. Showing important Ottoman battles through the ages, this patriotic atlas was published during a period of political upheaval in Turkey. Intended to give Turks pride in the martial achievements of the Ottomans, it first appeared in a series of separate broadsides between 1903-1907. In 1908, the year Sultan Abdul Hamid was deposed in the Young Turk Revolution, the separate issues were gathered together and published as an 'album'. The maps include: the battle of Kosovo, 1389; battle of Breadfield, Romania, 1479; battle of Mohacs, Hungary, 1526; battle of Szigetvar, Hungary, 1566; battle of Saint Gotthard, Hungary, 1664; battle of Osijek, Croatia, 1687; battle of Slankamen, Serbia, 1691; Seige of Petrovardin, 1694; and the Seige of Izmail, Ukraine, 1790. We have been unable to trace any copies in institutions through the usual online-databases.

Folio (495 x 350mm). 29 double-page and 3 single-page lithographic plates printed with surrounding letterpress explanatory text, 8 of the plates partially coloured (tiny marginal chip to first plate). Contemporary red half cloth over red marbled-paper covered boards, upper board with large central gilt Ottoman arms with half wreath, lower board with gilt crescent moon with half wreath, gilt decorative endpapers (extremities a trifle rubbed). Provenance: Ahmed Muhtar Pasha (1839-1919; presentation inscription on title to his son:) – Minister Mahmud Muhtar Pasha (1867-1935).

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