First edition of this large work: a very good copy, complete with the 3 volumes of text and all maps, plans and views of Sevastopol - despite the slipcase label showing a somewhat inattentive collation by the H.M. Stationery Office stating "Note.-This Volume is incomplete, no perfect copies are available for issue."
Sir Elphinstone (1829-90) was born in Livonia (now Latvia) and was awarded the Victoria Cross in June 1855 for fearless conduct during the Crimean War. At the final assault on Sebastopol on 8 September he was wounded by a splinter on the left side of the head and lost an eye. He later became major-general.

Three parts in 4 volumes 4to (29.5 x 23.5 cm) including a slipcase. Folding lithograph frontispiece by J. Ferguson after Cowell, Biddulph and a photograph by Robertson, lithographic title by Ferguson after Elphinstone, title, vi, 299, [1] pp., 6 lithographed tables by H. James and 6 numbered plates on 5 folding sheets of stronger paper; repeated lithographic title, title, table of contents, 638 pp., [1] l.; vii including title, 273 pp., [1] l.; atlas of 16 plates on 12 folding sheets of stronger paper, one on thiner -- in all 22 plates plates lithographed by H. James under the direction of Cameron, numbered I-XX with XVIa and including a rarer 'Sheet III' on thiner paper, some with outline hand-colour; light spotting to text, maps with occasional soiling, some folds with short tears. Contemporary red cloth, covers with blind-stamped panel decoration, flat spines lettered in gilt; spines rubbed and faded with shelfmark labels to foot, slipcase strengthened.