SIMES, Thomas (fl. 1757-1780)

The military guide for young officers, containing a system of the art of war; Parade, Camp, Field Duty; Manoeuvres, Standing and General Orders; Warrants, Regulations, Returns; Tables, Forms, Extracts from Military Acts; Battles, Sieges, Forts, Ports, Military Dictionary, &c. with Twenty-Five Maps and Copper Plates [Easton Neston Library copy]

London: Printed for J. Millan, near Whitehall, 1781. Early Reprint. Full Calf. Third Edition (incorporating regulations of H. R. H. the late Duke of Cumberland) of this standard reference for junior officers in the British army (and for officers in the Continental Army). Crown 8vo (204 x 125mm): [4],363,[1,advertisement],[177,"military, historical, and explanatory dictionary" and Index],[2,advertisements]pp, with 19 full- and half-page battle plans, large folding battle plan, four folding maps (Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America), and numerous tables (a few folding). Early full brown calf, flat spine in six compartments between decorative gilt bands, black leather lettering piece gilt. Engraved armorial bookplate of Sir Thomas Hesketh Bart and shelf label of the library at Easton Neston to front paste down. Collated and complete (including blanks), a bright, well-cared for copy with important provenance, tightly bound and clean throughout. Fine-. Item #BB1348

First published in 1772 for more than 330 subscribers. Simes's textbooks (he published at least six) were not innovative, describing what was common practice and borrowing freely from European military works, but he compiled and organized accepted principles, presenting extensive information on the history of warfare and the classical principles upon which contemporary military discipline was based—in short, everything that a young officer needed to rise through the ranks. He even provided templates of forms for every imaginable eventuality, from granting furloughs to reporting illnesses. Sotheby's auctioned the entire contents of Easton Neston in 2005, including the fabulous library, which incorporated works from the library at Rufford Hall, home for more than 500 years to generations of Heskeths. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Price: $724.00