289-[PARQUIN (Denis-Charles)]. Souvenirs et campagnes d'un vieux soldat de l'Empire, by a captain of the Imperial Guard, ex-officer of the Legion of Honor, now a political prisoner in the citadel of Doullens. Paris, Administration de Librairie, 1843, 2 volumes in 1 vol. in-8, VII-318 pp. and 288-3 pp. portr.-front, folding table, half-tobacco basane, spine decorated with small irons (period binding). A rare first edition of these famous memoirs. Tulard, 1117: "Memoirs written in prison after Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte's failed attempt at Boulogne. Alongside gallant adventures and individual exploits, it includes an account of the death of Prince Louis of Prussia at Saafeld, an evocation of the 1809 campaign and a narrative of the battle of Leipzig. The work concludes in 1814 with the farewell at Fontainebleau. As popular as Marbot's, these happily written memoirs of a light cavalry officer deserve their reputation." Parquin volunteered at the age of sixteen for the 20th regiment of chasseurs à cheval. He took part in the battles of Jena and Eylau, before being taken prisoner at Königsberg on February 15, 1807. Freed by the Peace of Tilsit, he rejoined his regiment in Prussia, then on operations in Germany and Austria. Second lieutenant in 1809, he fought at Amstetten, Wagram and Znaïm. In 1810, he left for Spain, where he remained for two years. Lieutenant in 1813, he joined the Guard and was awarded the Legion of Honor. He took part in the battles at Hanau and Leipzig, and in December 1813 became captain. He also took part in the French campaign. In 1815, his chasseur regiment was not at Waterloo, and he himself did not fight with the 11th cuirassiers. He subsequently became attached to Louis-Napoléon, was arrested several times, and was finally sentenced after the failure of the Boulogne expedition on August 6, 1840. Imprisoned in Doullens, he died there on December 19, 1845 (Cf. Tulard, Dictionnaire Napoléon). A fine copy. Bookplate Lichtenstein