Monsieur De Pointi’s Expedition to Cartagena – 1699 | Early Colonial War Account

The 1699 Monsieur De Pointi Cartagena expedition is a rare English-language account of a French military campaign against Spanish-held Cartagena, issued during a critical period of European competition in the West Indies. Printed in London, this work chronicles the French fleet’s incursion under Monsieur de Pointi during a time when maritime engagements shaped territorial claims across the Americas. The imprint names four booksellers, reflecting a wide distribution effort in a city where naval news and foreign intelligence circulated quickly in print form.

Condition:

Rebound in full leather and rebacked, this octavo retains its historical presence with a structurally sound, professionally restored exterior. Boards show light wear, and the renewed spine remains plain, in keeping with late 17th-century styles. The text block is complete, with [8], 134, [2] pages. Internal leaves display toning typical of the period and occasional foxing. The typography is sharp, margins are ample, and the paper remains stable throughout. A map of Cartagena noted in some copies is not included in this example.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Monsieur De Pointi’s expedition to Cartagena: being a particular relation
• Author(s): Monsieur de Pointi
• Publisher: London: Sold by S. Crouch; Richard Mount
• Edition: First edition, 1699.
• Format: Octavo, single volume
• Binding: Full leather, rebacked and restored
• Size:  7.25 x 4.75 in (18.4 x 12 cm)
• Collation: [8], 134, [2] pp
• Illustrations: map of Cartagena noted in some copies is lacking
• Contents Include:
  • Firsthand narrative of French military movements in the West Indies
  • Observations on Spanish defenses at Cartagena
  • Report of the expedition’s structure, targets, and aftermath
• Provenance: provenance
• Reference(s): Sabin 63705; Wing P 2742A

This publication is one of the few printed English texts from the period focused on French naval activities in Spanish America. Its inclusion in both Sabin and Wing confirms its bibliographic relevance.

Why Collect This?

• Rare English report on French military operations in Spanish colonial waters
• Cited in key bibliographies of early American and English printed works
• Issued by four separate London booksellers, indicating contemporary demand

INVENTORY NUMBER : #28675