Wien: M Trensensky, 1845. First edition. This is a lovely hand coloured wood cut / engraved print of a military regiment from the Austrian Army. In this case, of the music band. It was printed by v. E. Sieger. The print holds the number 14 to the right corner, and was one of a series of coloured engravings of military regiments / divisions. An attractive piece. The hand colouring is good, and the sheet is clean. There is a general darkening to the page, but without significant marks or creases. Single sheet. Small ink splash (trouser paint!) to the blank rear panel. 240 by 370mm (9½ by 14½ inches).

. // Première édition. Il s'agit d'une belle gravure sur bois colorée à la main représentant un régiment militaire de l'armée autrichienne. Dans ce cas, il s'agit d'une fanfare. Elle a été imprimée par V. E. Sieger. La gravure porte le numéro 14 dans le coin droit et fait partie d'une série de gravures en couleur de régiments/divisions militaires. Il s'agit d'une pièce attrayante. Le coloriage à la main est bon et la feuille est propre. Il y a un assombrissement général de la page, mais il n'y a pas de marques ou de plis significatifs. Une seule feuille. Petite tache d'encre (peinture de pantalon !) sur le panneau arrière vierge. 240 x 370 mm

Alexandria: 1882. An original, hand drawn sketch depicting a naval brigade clearing the streets of Alexandria. Ink on white paper. This would seem to have been an initial sketch, as the foreground (the brigade with the gun) is well worked, whilst the background is less defined. There are a couple of notes on the sheet. A couple of the figures in the sketch are also labelled Royal Marine and Officer. This would appear to be the first draft of a news report - similar to that which appeared as the front page of the Illustrated London News for July 29th 1882. Sketch is 240 x 160 mm. Good clean condition. It is pasted onto a larger sheet of pale brown card. This is 500 x 320 mm and is creased and darkened, and with a few closed tears. A very nice piece of historical visual documentation. Following the cutting of the Suez canal, British interests in Egypt deepened, and in May 1882 there was an uprising by Urabi Pasha. After an initial heavy naval bombardment, Naval Brigades and Marines were sent ashore to restore order. The revolt was quashed, and Egypt came under partial British control until the Second World War. The drawing clearly shows the use of a hopper fed Gatling gun. This weapon, developed in 1865, was used by the British Army from 1873. This conflict was the first use of the Gatling by the Royal Navy.

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Paris: Librairie Plon, 1890. A very nice copy of this illustrated guide to the historical uniforms of the French Army. Signed in pencil to the front end paper C.E. Brock* Red oblong boards with gilt laid illustration of an officer on a horse to the front board. Gilt publisher's crest to the rear board. Inside the front board is the booksellers label for Alph. Roques, a prominent London bookseller of French books in this period. Unpaginated but 48 illustrated pages (including title, which is a reproduction of the cover). Mostly in colour lithograph. (two double page silhouettes). One initial text page (verso of the end paper) introductory page. The rector of the rear end paper is an advertising leaf. Overall in very nice condition. The binding is firm. There is a scratch to the front illustration, and a little fading / marking to the rear panel It looks as if there has been a skillful repair to the corner of the rear board. Inside, the illustrated pages are clean and bright, with just a fractional darkening.

*C.E. Brock (1870-1938) was a prolific book illustrator and painter. He lived in London and achieved his first major commissions at the age of 20 - the same year that this work was published. Presumably he purchased it from Alph. Rogues. 220 x 330 mm (8¾ x 13 inches). Un très bel exemplaire de ce guide illustré des uniformes historiques de l'armée française. Signé au crayon sur le papier de garde C.E. Brock* Planches oblongues rouges avec illustration vernie à l'or d'un officier à cheval sur le plat avant. Écusson de l'éditeur doré sur le plat arrière. À l'intérieur du panneau avant se trouve l'étiquette du libraire pour Alph. Roques, un éminent libraire londonien de livres français à cette époque. Non paginé mais 48 pages illustrées (y compris le titre, qui est une reproduction de la couverture). Essentiellement en lithographie en couleurs. (deux silhouettes double page). Une page de texte initiale (Verso du document de fin) page d'introduction. Le recteur du papier de fin arrière est une feuille publicitaire. Ensemble en très bon état. La reliure est ferme. Il y a une égratignure sur l'illustration avant, et une petite décoloration/marque sur le panneau arrière On dirait qu'il y a eu une réparation habile au coin de la carte arrière. À l'intérieur, les pages illustrées sont nettes et lumineuses, avec juste un léger assombrissement. *C.E. Brock (1870-1938) était un illustrateur de livres et un peintre prolifique. Il a vécu à Londres et a réalisé ses premières grandes commandes à l'âge de 20 ans - la même année que cette œuvre a été publiée. Vraisemblablement, il l'a acheté à Alph. Coquins. 220 par 330 mm (8¾ par 13 pouces).

Paris: Chez Nyon, Fils, Quay del Augustins, 1725. Contemporary full leather binding, with six raised bands to the spine. Five panels decorated with gilt devices, and the 6th with a burgundy and gilt label. Marbled end papers. Complete with 34 folding plates. There is a curious vandalism to the title page and dedication page. An early owner has crossed out the name of Le Duc du Maine, who the book was dedicated to, and has coloured in portions of the Duc's crest. In the same ink is written "La livre ma coute 15 denier" (my book which cost 15 denier). To the following page (the dedication) again the Duc's crest has been defaced, along with his name, and several of the titles which pertained to him. The Duc was the legitimised son of Louis XIV, but despite this, was disliked by many who still considered him a bastard. The boards and spine are clean, A little bumping to the head and tail of the spine, with a touch of the cover rubbed. Inside, the book and plates are clean and tidy other than the sabotage to the Duc! Belidor (1698 - 1761) was a Frenchman born in Catalonia, an artillery professor at La Fère, whose work on artillery, engineering and hydraulics was widely disseminated in the 18th century. (24),560,(32) pp. 250 x 200 mm (9¾ x 7¾ inches). Reliure plein cuir de l'époque, avec six nerfs au dos. Cinq panneaux décorés d'appareils dorés, et le 6ème d'une étiquette bordeaux et dorée. Feuilles de garde marbrées. Complet avec 34 assiettes pliantes. Il y a un curieux vandalisme sur la page de titre et la page de dédicace. Un ancien propriétaire a barré le nom du Duc du Maine, auquel le livre était dédié, et a colorié certaines parties de l'écusson du Duc. Dans la même encre est écrit « La livre ma coute 15 deniers » (mon livre qui coûtait 15 deniers). À la page suivante (la dédicace), l'écusson du duc a encore été effacé, ainsi que son nom et plusieurs des titres qui le concernaient. Le duc était le fils légitimé de Louis XIV, mais malgré cela, il était détesté par beaucoup qui le considéraient encore comme un bâtard. Les plats et le dos sont propres, Un petit choc en tête et en queue du dos, avec une touche de la couverture frottée. A l'intérieur, le livre et les planches sont propres et bien rangés à part le sabotage du Duc ! Belidor (1698 - 1761) était un Français né en Catalogne, professeur d'artillerie à La Fère, dont les travaux sur l'artillerie, l'ingénierie et l'hydraulique ont été largement diffusés au XVIIIe siècle. (24) 560, (32) pages. 250 x 200 mm (9¾ x 7¾ inches).

London: John Long Limited, 1954. First Edition in original dust jacket. A memoir written by Douglas Valder Duff, once a British merchant seaman, Royal Navy officer, police officer, and author of over 100 books, including memoirs and books for children. Red cloth hardback book, with a photographic b/w frontis and several other b/w plates throughout. Dust jacket is lightly rubbed and soiled, but in good shape. Book in very good shape, with some light foxing inside, and to page edges. Also includes a loosely inserted letter from a couple called Mac and Phyllis gifting the book to their friends for Xmas 1954. The letter reveals that Mac was going with his friend Fatty Duff - as the letter calls him - to Palestine in the following February at the request of the Israeli government. 224 pages 220 x 145 mm (8¾ x 5¾ inches)

London: Charles J. Skeet, 1859. First edition. A rare personal account of the Crimean War, written soon after the events described. Orange red buckram, with gilt titles to the spine. Darkened to the spine and with some marks to the boards. Binding is a little shaken, with a slight lean. Pages are a little darkened, with some foxing spots. Errata. Adverts for recent publications to rear. [vi], 351 [i], [4]. pp The author (anonymous here but Charles Townshend Wilson) was with the Coldstream Guards. He purchased his commission in 1839, was an Ensign by 1842, a captain in 1846 and Lt Colonel in 1854. He served at Alma, Balaclava and Inkemann, as well as at the Siege of Sebastapol. He received the Crimea Medal with 4 bars, and retired by sale in 1855. Died in 1887. 200 by 130mm (7¾ by 5 inches).

Warsaw: Spółdzielnia Wydawnicza "Czytelnik". A very nice set of these Polish political caricatures from 1951. Four language edition, with text in Polish, Russian, French and English. This is the Second Edition of this work, first published the previous year. The whole contains a stiff (and anonymous) hardback portfolio folder, which holds a 24 page introductory booklet, a stiff card title page and 71 colour or black and white card caricature leaves. Believed fully complete. Conforms to OCLC Number / Unique Identifier: 829888778. All the elements are in good, clean condition, with a touch of darkening to the pages only. A little edge wear to the folder. The cartoons are mainly attacking the west, and the introduction acknowledges that they follow a "Common advancing front with Soviet Caricature." where the enemy is "The enemy of Peace" mainly identified with the USA. 21, [3] pp., [1], [71] pp. 295 x 210 mm (11½ x 8¼ inches).

. Un très bel ensemble de ces caricatures politiques polonaises de 1951. Édition en quatre langues, avec un texte en polonais, russe, français et anglais. Il s'agit de la deuxième édition de cet ouvrage, publié pour la première fois l'année précédente. L'ensemble contient une chemise cartonnée rigide (et anonyme), qui contient un livret d'introduction de 24 pages, une page de titre cartonnée rigide et 71 feuilles de caricatures cartonnées en couleur ou en noir et blanc. On pense que l'ouvrage est complet. Conforme au numéro OCLC / identificateur unique : 829888778. Tous les éléments sont en bon état, propres, avec un peu de noircissement sur les pages seulement. Un peu d'usure sur les bords de la chemise. Les caricatures attaquent principalement l'Occident et l'introduction reconnaît qu'elles suivent un "front commun avec la caricature soviétique" où l'ennemi est "l'ennemi de la paix" identifié principalement aux États-Unis. 21, [3] pp, [1], [71] pp. 295 x 210 mm

Shanghai: Huahe, 1932. First edition. This appears to be a deluxe edition for the home market as captions are written in both Japanese and English. The binding is in snakeskin, (probably faux snakeskin), with purple ribbon binding intact. Japanese titles to the outside and image of soldiers helmet and straw hat. 2 red & black maps, (one of Cha-Pei & one entitled "map of Sino-Japanese distuarbances (sic), Shanghai") + 48 pp. of black and white photographs depicting the Japanese invasion of Shanghai. Captions are in Japanese and English. Overall in excellent condition. There is a tiny loss to the top and bottom edge of the spine. Very small split to the binding edge. A couple of marks to the cover - but overall in excellent condition. Unpaginated but title, 2 maps, 47 leaves of photographs (printed on one side & 1 leaf colophon. 265 x 190 mm (10½ x 7½ inches). unpaginated but title, 2 maps, 47 leaves of photographs (printed on one side & 1 leaf colophon

Aldershot: Gale and Polden Ltd, 1954. First edition in dust wrapper. The wrapper has significant chipping and closed tears, but is still holding together, and is reasonably clean. Held within an archival wrapper. Red cloth boards are clean and tidy, with just a little bumping to the head and tail of the spine. A touch of foxing to the closed page edges. 15 black and white photographs, 5 maps. Complete. 119 pages. 190 by 125mm (7½ by 5 inches).

. Première édition avec jaquette. La jaquette présente des ébréchures et des déchirures importantes, mais elle tient toujours et est raisonnablement propre. L'ouvrage est conservé dans une pochette d'archivage. Les planches en tissu rouge sont propres et bien rangées, avec juste un peu de bosses à la tête et à la queue de la colonne vertébrale. Quelques rousseurs sur les bords des pages fermées. 15 photographies en noir et blanc, 5 cartes. Complet. 119 pages. 190 x 125 mm

Paris: Éditions Pierre Lafitte, 1917. First edition. Has been rebound in brown cloth, with gilt stamped title to spine. Original paper from spine, laid in to inside front board. Fully illustrated with 150 b/w drawings. No dust jacket. Rough cut pages are aged / toned, but overall in a good to very good condition. 247 pages. 210 x 160 mm (8¼ x 6¼ inches).

The ten articles collected here were originally published in the French newspaper 'Le Journal', when SEM worked as their war correspondent during WW1. SEM's real name was Georges Goursat (1863 - 1934). Première édition. A été relié en toile brune, avec titre estampé doré au dos. Papier d'origine du dos, collé à l'intérieur du premier plat. Entièrement illustré de 150 dessins n/b. Pas de jaquette. Les pages brutes sont vieillies / teintées, mais dans l'ensemble dans un bon à très bon état. 247 pages. 210 x 160 mm (8¼ x 6¼ pouces). Les dix articles rassemblés ici ont été initialement publiés dans le journal français « Le Journal », lorsque le SEM travaillait comme correspondant de guerre pendant la Première Guerre mondiale. Le vrai nom de SEM était Georges Goursat (1863 - 1934).

London: Court Circular, 1860. Two volumes of bound issues of this newsheet. Folio. 3/4 brown leather with buckram boards. Vol. 1 contains issues 21-52. (March 17th 1860 - October 20th 1860) Vol. 2 contains issues 79-104 (April 27th 1861 - October 19th 1981). There are also a number of "supplements" to the gazette. A total of 56 issues. In Vol. 1 Each is separately paginated, generally 16 pages long. Some pages have been bound incorrectly, but all seem to be present. Vol. 2 is numbered 417-836 pp. Initially entitled the "Volunteer Service Gazette and Militia Dispatch" From August 25th 1860, the name was shortened to "Volunteer Service Gazette."
370 by 260mm (14½ by 10¼ inches). Volunteer Services & Forces Newspapers were aimed at the volunteer services and regular army and navy, and flourished in the nineteenth century. In 1859 a new corps of volunteers was formed to supplement both the militia and the regular army in case of invasion. These rifle brigades attracted members from those able to afford to purchase their own uniform and rifle, which could amount to £8 -12. Newspaper proprietors responded to this wave of patriotism by creating newspapers to disseminate news of the military and the volunteer forces. Issues of the Volunteer Service Gazette carried reports on the various volunteer units, including descriptions of their uniforms and the progress of their drill and weapons training.

These papers also included news of the movements and engagements of the regular army and navy. The posting of officers and the movement of troops are treated in great detail. These papers will tell you where a regiment was on a given date, at home or abroad. There were also an increasing number of advertisements for rifles, apparel and equipment as time went on.