LAVALÉE Théophile, “Histoire de lEmpire Ottoman”, Paris, Garnier Frères, 1855. First edition, in 4to, p. vii+528. with 18 steel-engraved full paged plates by Allom, Bentley, Salmon, and Leitch, including views from Smyrna, Constantinople, Ioannina, Brussa, the Black Sea and many other views of places, monuments and events. The history of the Ottoman Empire from a French perspective, published in the Crimean War era, when French colonial and mercantile interests refocused on the Middle East. Publisher’s canvas binding with black background with a gold and Very Rare multi-coloured Arabic decoration. On the front cover a Turk smoking a narghile, lying on cushions and surrounded by 2 armed minions in an architectural setting, title in reserve. The back cover is struck with a gilded vignette depicting an armed mounted camel, on a background with minarets. Spine with a geometric and floral design with the title in reserve. Visible external wear, mainly on spine. Scattered foxing and spotting inside, otherwise very good internal pages.