By way of an example, let us say that the reader has a small collection of armour and weapons and that he proposes to draw up a history of these interesting objects. The first thing would be to photograph each of the specimens in his collection and to mount them in an album as described above. Naturally, there would be many periods unrepresented in the collection, and pictures of these he should endeavour to find among the magazines and books that are available. As a discovery is made it should be carefully cut out and added to the history. Of course, when an additional piece of armour or a weapon is procured, its photograph should replace any print of a similar article which may already figure in the album.
The grangerite, for such is the name given to a person who creates a history on these lines, is often spoken of as one who mutilates valuable books to give birth to a volume of his own. We may say at once that we do not suggest that mutilation of any kind should be countenanced. The grangerite who needs extra illustrations can find material, in abundance, for his work in all sorts of quarters without tearing prints from volumes of worth. The old book-shop with its penny boxes and print portfolios provides all the pictures that are necessary in the ordinary way whilst back numbers of The Connoisseur are veritable gold-mines when representations of any kind of curio are needed.
But the grangerite must learn to search for material in all sorts of unexpected quarters. Armour, in many cases, adorns the heroes which grace our public statues in London (e.g. the Black Prince at Westminster), therefore, he should procure picture post-cards of such monuments. Again, many coins bear allegorical figures which include arms and armour in various forms. In this matter it is worth mentioning that the British Museum has on sale a large stock of picture post-cards depicting the coins reposing in its galleries. These, of course, the grangerite should procure. Lastly, we may mention that royal seals, church brasses, and even postage stamps often portray the warrior in shining armour and are worth noting by the grangerite.
Such, in outline, is the task of drawing up a history of one's collection. The work is fascinating and the magnum opus, when perfected, is of considerable value. Need more be said?
[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
WORKS DEALING WITH MILITARY CRESTS, BADGES, UNIFORMS, ETC.
Ackermann, R. Costumes of the British and Indian Armies. A collection of 67 coloured plates. 1840.
Army Clothing Regulations. Part I. Regular Forces. (Wyman.) 1914.
Atkinson, J. A. A Picturesque Representation of the Naval, Military, and Miscellaneous Costumes of Great Britain: with coloured plates. 1807.
Colnaghi,—. Costumes of the Army of the British Empire according to the Regulations of 1814. 1815.
Crests of the British Army. A coloured chart issued by Gale and Polden. Price 1s.
Crests of the British Army. (Six packets of crests arranged in book form.) Gale and Polden. Price 3s.
Fairbairn, J. Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fores. Yeomanry Costume: with illustrations. 1844.
Fox-Davies, A. C. Armorial Families, 1910. 6th edition. Many coloured plates and otherwise profusely illustrated. (A valuable work, especially for students desirous of noting the early connection between noble families and regiments.)
Hull, E. Costumes of the British Army in 1828: many plates. 1828.
Knight and Butters. Crests of Great Britain and Ireland. 2 vols.
Lawrence-Archer, J. The British Army: its records, badges, devices, etc. 1888.
Lienhardt and Humbert. Les Uniformes de l'Armée Française.
Luard, John. A History of Dress of the British Soldier. 1852.
Martens and Norie. Costumes of the British Army and Volunteer Corps. Coloured plates. 1852.
Military Uniforms under the head of "Uniforms." Article in Encyclopædia Britannica. (A capital survey of the subject.)
Perry, O. L. Ranks and Badges in the Army. 1888.
Smith, C. H. Costumes of the British Army. (A fine collection of coloured plates.) 1815.
Spooner. Costumes of the British Army: with many coloured plates, by M. A. Hayes. 2 vols. 1840.
Uniforms of Europe, Past and Present. Four coloured plates depicting about 100 army dresses. Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, vol. 27.
Walton, Colonel C. British Army. (Regimental Dress Histories.)