(United States Army. Uniform and Dress) | First edition of the 1851 Regulations, signed by the commander of the Department of Texas

(United States Army. Uniform and Dress)

Regulations for the Uniform & Dress of the Army of the United States, June, 1851. From the original Text and Drawings in the War Department. Philadelphia: (T. K. and P. G. Collins, printers, for) William H. Horstmann, 1851

Folio (371 x 286 mm). 25 lithographed plates after G. C. Humphries by P. S. Duval (5 chromolithographs, 6 partially handcolored), all plates with the printed attestation of Adjutant General Roger Jones; browned, occasional finger-soiling and short marginal tears. Publisher's gilt-lettered cloth, plain endpapers and edges; rebacked in gray buckram, worn at extremities, front free endpaper stained.

First edition, with notable provenance. This copy belonged to Persifor Frazer Smith, who had a distinguished military career, with commands during the Second Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, and Bleeding Kansas; he also served as the sixth Military Governor of California. When this book was published Smith commanded the Department of Texas and would have had responsibility for enforcing the new pattern of uniform described therein.

REFERENCES:

Colas 2520; see Lipperheide for later editions

PROVENANCE:

Persifor F. Smith (signature, 2 March 1852, San Antonio, Texas, on title-page)