Michelin

Verdun -Argonne-Metz – An Illustrated History and Guide

1927rif. CLA212500316The Battle of Verdun February – December 1916 was one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts of World War I signifying the extreme brutality of industrial trench warfare. As a major German offensive against France it became a symbol of French resistance resulting in over 700000 casualties 377000 French and 337000 German. Verdun has become the representative memory of World War I for the French much like the Battle of the Somme in the UK. A century on the French Interior Ministry estimated that over 10 million shells many filled with arsenic have remained in the soil around Verdun – it is estimated that at existing rates of clearance the de-miners would be uncovering and disposing of ordnance in the Verdun area for centuries to come. And a century on this small volume "Verdun -Argonne-Metz – An Illustrated History and Guide 1914 - 1918" has a 1919 date on the title page but on the last page it says printed in France 1927. Published by the Michelin Tire Co. it tells the story of Verdun - in maps plus black and white photographs – the destruction and what remained in the aftermath. Included are two color maps – one of the city of Verdun and one of the city of Metz. In addition to the book the original fold out travel map is still inside albeit in very fragile condition see photographs. Michelin Travel Guides were founded in France in 1900 by André and Édouard Michelin. The guide was originally free and designed to boost tire demand by encouraging motoring thus increasing tire sales by providing travelers with maps mechanic locations and restaurant guides. Condition: Dark tan matt paper dustjacket has damage to both the front tears along the top with one taped and rear a piece missing front the top corner and edge damage but in general it has weathered the years well given its publication after the war. The book tan paper boards with dark brown text blind stamped to the cover and spine has externally remained in very good condition with little wear or cosmetic damage. The interior glossy pages of the text block all show moisture waves along the bottom two inches of the pages light age tanning throughout but all pages are firmly attached. Instead of a front endpaper there is information included for a memorial fund which is on low grade paper that has a great darkening along the edges. At the rear is a Michelin advertisement. There is a previous owner name on page 3 in the left margin but otherwise there are no other owner marks tears or chips. 191 pages Dimensions: H = 8" W = 5-1/4" Michelin Tire Company paperback

Old Books and Such, LLC · Stati Uniti198,00 USD≈ 176,55 €