L'Esercito d'Oltre Mare

Milan: Ant. Vallardi, 1880. Military Figures from Four Continents of the World
Depicted in Twelve Superb Hand Colored Lithograph Plates by Quinto Cenni

CENNI, Quinto. L'Esercito d'Oltre Mare. Schizzi militari Raccolti e Disegnati de Q. Cenni. Milan, A. Villardi, [1880].

First edition. Oblong quarto (12 7/16 x 17 1/8 inches; 316 x 435 mm.). Title from cover. Twelve fine hand colored lithograph plates, heightened with gum arabic. All plates mounted on stubs, original tissue guards. Some very light marginal foxing, otherwise fine.

Publishers quarter red roan over tan boards, front cover with pictorial colored lithograph title laid down.
Bookplate of Norman R. Bobins on front paste-down. A near fine copy.

"The Armies from Beyond the Seas with Military Sketches of Asia, Africa, America & Australia" is indeed a comprehensive work that provides detailed descriptions of military forces and their characteristics across different continents. The book features twelve superb hand-colored lithograph plates that depict military figures from Asia, Africa, America, and Australia, showcasing soldiers either on foot or on horseback.

The illustrations are notable for their attention to detail and accuracy, reflecting the distinctive uniforms, equipment, and appearance of various military units. This work serves not only as an artistic achievement but also as a valuable historical document, offering insights into the military traditions and practices of different cultures around the world.

Quinto Cenni (1845-1917) was an Italian painter, engraver, lithographer, and illustrator who specialized in depicting military personnel and their uniforms. From a young age, he developed an innate passion for drawing and military history. His spirit of observation captured every distinctive element of the uniform, and when he could not observe them personally, he drew them exactly from verbal or written descriptions.

After moving to Milan, he obtained various positions as a magazine illustrator and in portraiture. Starting from 1878, Cenni published a series of important works, including the albums "Custoza," "I Bersaglieri," "L'aiuto Italiano," "Eserciti Europei," and "Eserciti d'oltremare," all published by Vallardi. In 1887, he became director of "Illustrazione Militare Italiana." From 1878 to 1916, he published over a dozen albums featuring various aspects of the Italian military.

Hundreds of his watercolors are currently held in the National Museum at the Castel Sant'Angelo and the Museum of the Risorgimento in Milan. In 2000, fifty previously unpublished works were presented at an exhibition in New York.

The Plates:
1. Asia - Persia; Turkestan; Afganistan
2. Asia - Siam; Birmania
3. Asia - Russia Asiatica; China
4. Asia - Giappone
5. Asia - Impero Anglo-Indiano
6. Africa - Marocco; Algeria; Capo de Buona Speranza; Abissinia e Sudan
7. Africa - Egitto; Tunisia
8. America Settentrionale - Stati Uniti
9. America Settentrionale - Stati Uniti
10. America Meridionale - Republica Argentina
11. America Centrale e Meridionale - Peru; Bolivia; Venezuela; Messico; Chili
12. Oceania - Isole Sandwich; Manilla; Batavia; Ceylan; Malesia; Giava; Nouva Zelanda; Australia

Bobins II, 350; Colas 571; Lipperheide 2369.