Having made these preliminary remarks, it may be well to point out some of the best-known works containing military prints.
"The British Military Library," published not later than 1801, in two volumes, contains some score or more of accurately drawn plates representing types of the British Army. They are well executed, though the figures appear a trifle stiff and wooden.
Spooner's "Military and Naval Uniforms," by Mansion and Eschauzier, seventy plates in colour, dating from 1833. These are probably some of the finest representations of early nineteenth-century uniforms that the collector can possess. The dresses are accurately depicted, but the artists do not excel when drawing galloping horses.
Ackermann's "Costumes of the British and Indian Armies," by various artists. Some sixty odd coloured plates, dating from 1840. The plates include not only the uniforms of the regular Army, but also the Indian Army and the Volunteer Force. This is a very fine collection.
Cannon's "Historical Records of the British Army." A monumental work in sixty-eight volumes, but the coloured plates are occasionally found loose. The pictures are in two series: (a) Cavalry, and (b) Infantry; they depict regimental dress of the period 1837-53.
W. Heath's "Military Costumes of the British Cavalry." A set of sixteen coloured plates, of the year 1820.
E. Hull's "Costumes of the British Army in 1828." Some seventy odd lithographs of fairly pleasing character. They appear to be drawn with complete accuracy.
"Military Costumes of Europe." A work published in two volumes in 1822. Nearly a hundred coloured plates are included, about a quarter of which are of British uniforms.