first edition
1840 · London
by [Macdonald, Sir John] D. 1850
London: W. Clowes and Sons, 1840. First Edition. Small Octavo. 35 and 23 pages, [2] full page plates. Two works bound together each with their separate title pages. One of the rarest early 19th century British military manuals and an unrecorded copy. Clearly, Sir John Macdonald is the author of both works but since the title is often confused with a similar title by George Greenwood issued by the same publisher as Greenwood's though clearly a separate work that has escaped proper bibliographic identification. DNB gives a history of Macdonald's military career as adjutant-general of the horse guards as of September 1840. This work gives instruction on the use of the sword while standing or mounted upon a horse. It has both the bookplate of Walter B. Barttelot (1820-1893) of the Royal Dragoons and is signature on the front free endpaper. He was a member of the ancient Sussex family and served as a captain in the service of the 1st Royal Dragoons in 1845. In a long career, he was Chairman of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway in 1867, and received his title as Baronet in 1875, later he was admitted to the Privy Council in 1892. Bound in 1/4 white cloth over paper covered boards, paper label to upper board printed in black with a bit of staining. A very nice, clean copy of this rare work.
(Inventory #: 027725)