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Miscellaneous

Maps, views and diagrams of military reviews and encampments

    ANONYMOUS

    Map of encampment at Villiers, 1753 (Villers-Semeuse, Champagne-Ardenne, France) 49°44'31"N 04°44'49"E

    c.1753

    Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper; laid down on linen | Scale: 1:15,200 approx. | RCIN 731051.a

    A map of a French encampment, under the command of the Marquis de Brezé, at Villers-Semeuse, September 1753. Oriented with north-west to top (cardinal points).

    The relative relief of the area has been portrayed by brownish-grey brush strokes, the steeper slopes being shown in a darker colour. Cultivated land is shown by groups of parallel brown lines at different angles to each other to suggest ploughed land; rough or heathland and marshy areas are also shown.

    The headquarters was in the Chateau de Viliers; outposts, and their detachments together with the number of men in each, are marked. The encamped regiments are: Du Roi, Cravates, Moutier, Belsunce, Royal Vaisseaux, La Couronne, Dauphin, Dessales, Cuirassiers.

    Additional text: [top right, following on from title:] Ce Camp / ayant commencé Le 1er de Sepre 1753 a duré jusqu / au fin de Mois. Il etoit composé de dix Bataillons / d'Infanterie et dix Escadrons de Cavalerie / L'Infanterie dans le plan est marquée Jaune. / la Cavalerie blue [followed by an explanation of the letters on the map].

    Condition: no fold lines. Verso: some foxing.

    • Anonymous (cartographer)

      Subject(s)

      Army-France

    • Watermark: None visible

      Mark, stamped: 767

      Condition: no fold lines. Verso: some foxing

    • Scale: 1:15,200 approx. Scale bar: 600 Toises [77 mm =].

      33.5 x 48.7 cm (neatline)

      34.5 x 49.5 cm (image and sheet)

    • Manuscript title:

      PLAN du CAMP de VILLIERS pres la / Ville de Mezieres sur la Meuse commande / par Mr Le Marquis de Brezè et sous ses / Ordres Mr de Ponchartin Lieut:t General. et Le / Chev:r de Drue Marechal de Camp. [1753.] [top right, in rectangular panel]

      Additional text:

      [top right, following on from title:] Ce Camp / ayant commencé Le 1er de Sepre 1753 a duré jusqu / au fin de Mois. Il etoit composé de dix Bataillons / d'Infanterie et dix Escadrons de Cavalerie / L'Infanterie dans le plan est marquée Jaune. / la Cavalerie blue [followed by an explanation of the letters on the map].

      Annotations:

      George III heading: Encampment at Villiers 1-30 Sept.r 1753.

      Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top right, black pencil:] 1753. [bottom right, red pencil:]12/50.

      George III catalogue entry:

      Encampment Plan dessiné du Camp de Villiers pres de Mezieres sur la Meuse commandé par le Marquis de Brezé, depuis le 1 jusqu’au 30 Sept.re 1753. [The same entry appears under the heading Villiers.]

    • Subject(s)

      Villers-Semeuse, Champagne-Ardenne, France (49°44'31"N 04°44'49"E)

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    • 7 June 2024

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