but 1904.]. Oblong 4to, pp. [3]-59, [3], including 14 pages of chromolithograph figures to be cut out (with blank versos); small neat tear at bottom of p. 11, head of p. 46 with tear just touching border, pp. 44 and 47 with larger nicks with some loss, though not touching text; paper somewhat browned throughout, due to quality, but in the original green linen backed pictorial boards, with polychrome illustration on upper cover, head and tail of spine slightly worn, rear cover cracked with neat paper repair, some minor soiling and staining to boards, corners a little worn; a good copy. First edition, and unusual in that the present copy has been unused. One of a series of cut-out costume books illustrated by the noted French artist and children’s illustrator ‘Job’, with text by Aristide Fabre (180-1936) the present volume describes and illustrates ‘Warriors and Great Lords’ throughout French history, from the Gauls to the students of Saint-Cyr.
Jacques Marie Gaston Onfroy de Bréville (1858-1931) known by the pen name ‘Job’ after his initials contributed to numerous works, though is best remembered for his illustrations for children’s books. Having served for some time in the French army, during his artistic career he maintained a keen interest in military, patriotic, and nationalistic subjects, as reflected here, which displays his keen eye for detail, reproducing the uniforms with great precision.