- - British Military Prints - 1830-1909

British Military Prints

The first edition of British Military Prints (1909) comprises 124 numbered text pages as well as numerous separate, unnumbered illustration plates.

1. Foreword (Foreword, page ix)

• Introduction by Ralph Nevill. A short foreword in which Nevill reflects on the shift in military clothing from the lavish, colorful appearance of the 18th and 19th centuries to the simpler uniforms of the early 20th century.

2. Main essay: British Military Prints (pages xi–lii)

• Historical development. Nevill describes in detail the history of British military printmaking and regimental uniforms, especially from the Napoleonic Wars through the Victorian era (e.g., the Crimean War).
• Artists and publishers. He pays tribute to prominent illustrators, engravers, and publishers of this era, including Henry Alken, Edward Dayes, Thomas Rowlandson, Francesco Bartolozzi, George Cruikshank, as well as the famous art publishing house Ackermann.
• Embedded color plates. Within this introductory text are already the color frontispiece and several additional color plates.

3. Illustration section (Illustrations, pages 1–64)

• Large-format print plates. The main illustration part comprises over 100 historical military prints (in color, sepia, and black-and-white) spread over 64 pages.
• Thematic emphasis. Shown are detailed uniform studies of various regiments (such as the 11th Hussars, 17th Lancers, Grenadier Guards, or Highland regiments), famous battle scenes (such as Waterloo, Alma, Toulouse, or San Sebastián), and contemporary military caricatures.

4. Bibliography (List of Military Prints and Books with Plates of Military Interest, pages 65–72)

• Catalog by W. G. Menzies. The volume concludes with a systematic overview compiled by William Gladstone Menzies.
• Reference work for collectors. It lists alphabetically and topically known individual sheets, series of graphics, and historical books with military illustrations (including artist, engraver, and publisher details).

Condition Wear and tear on the binding, interior: clean and with firm binding