Rare suite, 1844-1849

Ackermann's Costumes of the Indian Army
Rare suite, 1844-1849
ACKERMANN, Rudolf. [Costumes of the Indian Army. London: Rudolph Ackermann at his Eclipse Sporting Gallery, May 1844-June 1849.]

Extremely rare suite of Ackermann engravings of the Indian Army. We trace no copies in the auction records and very few examples of the individual prints. This set corresponds to the collation given in the Index to British Military Costume Prints 1500-1914, the most comprehensive record of known plates in this category. Sixteen of the prints specify that they are after the sketches of Captain Frederick Ainsile (1810-1854) of the 21st Fusiliers; these cover chiefly the Madras forces but also Nizam's Army (Hyderabad), the Bombay Horse Artillery, and the 65th Regiment of the Bengal Infantry. Colas 27 (citing 43? plates), Index to British Military Costume Prints 8; Lipperheide 2270.

Folio (490 x 328mm). 33 consecutively numbered hand-colored engraved plates by J. Harris after H. de Daubrawa or H. Martens, about half after sketches by Captain Fred Ainslie of the 21st Fusiliers (mild toning, scattered spotting, heavier spotting on plates 2, 10, 12, 25 and 28). Contemporary roan stamped in blind and gilt, titled on the covers in French, the spine with an inlaid morocco Union Jack (rubbed, spine faded, corners worn or showing). Provenance: Bibliothèque de San Donato (inkstamp to front free endpaper) – A. Balsan (engraved bookplate and manuscript inventory number 141).