GORDON Anthony
£340
Auction: 1 February 2005 at 11:00 GMT
Description
A treatise on the science of defence, for the sword, bayonet, and pike, in close action ... 1st edition, 19 engraved plates (including 1 fldg.), contemporary red straight grain morocco, border of three gilt fillets with blind roll tool, inner panel comprising a single gilt fillet with oak leaves and acorns at the corners, within a large diamond shaped gilt panel, the spine decorated gilt in compartments with floral scrolls and pointille tools, joints and extremities rubbed, some light spotting, 4to., London: Egerton, 1805
Provenance: With the bookplate of Thomas Graham of Balgowan as Lord Lynedoch. Bound in at the front is an autograph letter of May 30th 1816 from the author to Lord Lynedoch asking him to read the Treatise and expressing his gratitude for Lynedoch's interest in the bayonet exercises. There are a number of annotations in the margins and to some plates by Lynedoch. Lynedoch had a long and distinguished military career. He raised the Perthshire Volunteers (afterwards the 2nd Scotch Rifles) which were equipped and drilled as light infantry, becoming in fact the senior light infantry corps in the British Army. With his regiment he saw service at Quiberon and Isle Dieu. He took part in many other actions eventually achieving the rank of full general in 1821. He was present at the death and burial of Moore after Corunna and was part of Wellington's staff during the Peninsular War.