Stated “fourth edition”, but actually the first and only edition of this work. Octavo. Bound, likely for the author, in full red calf, “Hofwyl Mont’Emaro” stamped in gilt to the upper cover, covers and spine lettered and decorated gilt.
 
A very good copy, upper joint slightly rubbed.
 
Probably the author’s own copy of this rare and peculiar work.
 
Accordingly to the biography of the author printed as a preface, he was educated at the progressive Swiss school Hofwyl, and served in the Mont’Emaro division of the Piedmontese Army, indicating that the gilt arms to the upper cover is his personal cipher.
 
Edward-Gibbon Swann was a prolific writer, a magistrate and a county cricketer who claimed to be the grand-nephew of the historian Edward Gibbon, leading him to adopt his rather ludicrious double-barrelled first name.
 
The book’s subject General Santa Anna is Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, the central figure of nineteenth century post-independence Mexican politics. He was president of Mexico eleven times in a twenty-two year period, commanded the Mexican army at the Battle of the Alamo, but ultimately lost Texas to the USA.