first edition Hardcover
1849 · Madrid
by Marchesi, Jose Maria (José María Marchessi y Oleaga)
Madrid: Aguado, Impresor de Camara de S.M. y de su Real Casa, 1849. First edition. Hardcover. g to vg-. Large octavo. (xx) 198, 119pp. (1) + 10 plates at the rear. Salmon-colored leather boards with gilt-stamped debossed royal and military insignias, as well as gilt ruling on the front and back covers. Spine with gilt lettering and decorative motifs. The binding has been rebacked onto red cloth. Gilt edges and dentelles. Marbled endpapers. The work is a detailed catalog of objects found at The Royal Armory of Madrid. The second part of the book is a detailed glossary of terms. A final section contains 10 plates of engraved military symbols and insignias. Binding with some rubbing to extremities. Some light scratches and smudging to covers. The top section of the original leather spine is missing. Interior covers with starting, light abrasions. Some small pieces of tape at interior front cover. Some sporadic minor foxing throughout, and some sunning to the edges of pages. Occasional light marginal notes in pencil. Binding in good, interior in very good- condition overall. José María Marchessi y Oleaga (1801-1882) was a Spanish soldier and Lieutenant General, who held various positions in Europe and the Americas. In 1844 he was appointed General Director of the Royal Stables and the Royal Armory, and was responsible for a number of important advancements to these establishements during his tenure.
(Inventory #: 43383)