First American Uniform Book for the U.S. Navy
Regulations for the Uniform & Dress of the Navy and Marine Corps of the United States.
Philadelphia: Printed for the Navy Department, by T.K. and P.G. Collins, 1852.
Price: $6,500.00
About the item
15,[1]pp., text printed mostly in two columns, plus fifteen lithographed plates, thirteen in color, after J. Goldsborough Bruff by C. Schuessele and P. S. Duval. Folio. First American Uniform Book for the U.S. Navy. Contemporary black morocco backed marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt, some wear and scuffing. Scattered light foxing and soiling. Bookplate of the New England Historic Genealogical Society on front pastedown (with withdrawal stamp) and their blindstamp on titlepage. A bit of soiling, small old stain in lower edge of titlepage and text. Very good. Hiler, page 864 (stating Washington as the imprint and with varying pagination); Sabin 68960. Colas and Lipperheide citing later edition.
Item #332767
A rare color plate book describing and illustrating the uniforms and dress of officers in the United States Navy and Marines. Contains several pages of detailed regulations on the dress of officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates in the Navy and Marines, along with fifteen lithographed plates. The lithographs, done by P.S. Duval & Co. after drawings by artist and Gold Rush adventurer J. Goldsborough Bruff, depict full dress uniforms as well as details of epaulets, hats, belts, swords, and other accoutrements.
This copy has the bookplate of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, indicating it was donated to them by Com. George H. Preble. Preble was a career Naval officer who rose to the rank of Rear Admiral, serving in the Seminole Wars, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. Preble was also a lieutenant on Perry's 1853 journey to Japan, authored the first history of the American Flag, and was custodian of the original "Star-Spangled Banner" which flew over Fort McHenry.
A rare and important color plate book in the field of U.S. Naval History, with a notable and quite relevant association.
