Sign In

Striking collection of 46 manuscript maps, and a few documents, showing northern Algeria. The maps date from the French invasion of Algeria (1830-1847) and originate from Prince Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orléans, who most likely used them to prepare his history of the conflict. They represent a noteworthy body of knowledge about this significant episode in the history of Algeria and of the French Empire. The maps are predominantly written in French, with some items in Arabic. The collection includes subsets of maps focused on Algiers and its surroundings, and maps focused on northeastern Algeria. These particular areas were the site of intense fighting between the French army and Algerian resistance forces during the French conquest of Algeria. Maps in this collection include: Plans and views of Algiers Locations of French military encampments Strategic towns around Algiers including Blida, Medea, Kolea, and Boufarik Resistance-held towns across northern Algeria, including Constantine Major waterways, coastal areas, and routes between towns in northern Algeria This collection most likely belonged to Prince Ferdinand Philippe, the Duke of Orléans, the eldest son of the French King Louis Philippe I (r. 1830-1848). Prince Ferdinand Philippe spent most of his notable military career in Algeria. He then spent his post-military life compiling a history of the French conquest of Algeria and accounts of his military campaigns. When he died at the young age of 32, the collection would have stayed within the family, eventually finding a home in the library of Ferdinand’s youngest brother, Antoine, Duke of Montpensier.

Striking collection of 46 manuscript maps, and a few documents, showing northern Algeria. The maps date from the French invasion of Algeria (1830-1847) and originate from Prince Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orléans, who most likely used them to prepare his history of the conflict. They represent a noteworthy body of knowledge about this significant episode in the history of Algeria and of the French Empire. The maps are predominantly written in French, with some items in Arabic. The collection includes subsets of maps focused on Algiers and its surroundings, and maps focused on northeastern Algeria. These particular areas were the site of intense fighting between the French army and Algerian resistance forces during the French conquest of Algeria. Maps in this collection include: Plans and views of Algiers Locations of French military encampments Strategic towns around Algiers including Blida, Medea, Kolea, and Boufarik Resistance-held towns across northern Algeria, including Constantine Major waterways, coastal areas, and routes between towns in northern Algeria This collection most likely belonged to Prince Ferdinand Philippe, the Duke of Orléans, the eldest son of the French King Louis Philippe I (r. 1830-1848). Prince Ferdinand Philippe spent most of his notable military career in Algeria. He then spent his post-military life compiling a history of the French conquest of Algeria and accounts of his military campaigns. When he died at the young age of 32, the collection would have stayed within the family, eventually finding a home in the library of Ferdinand’s youngest brother, Antoine, Duke of Montpensier.