The History of Infantry by H.B. Stuart (First Edition, 1862) 📜⚔️📚

The History of Infantry by H.B. Stuart (First Edition, 1862) 📜⚔️📚

Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a first edition of The History of Infantry, a foundational work of military analysis by H.B. Stuart.

Published in 1862, this book is a physical artifact of a pivotal era in military thought. Its status as a first printing of a text that chronicles the evolution of infantry tactics from ancient history through the mid-19th century makes it a verifiable acquisition for a serious library.

The volume’s documented association with the University of California, Los Angeles Library adds a unique layer to its history. For the discerning collector of rare books, this item holds both intellectual and material value as a reference point for the study of military strategy and historical documentation.

About the Book 📖✍️✨

The History of Infantry is a comprehensive analysis of military tactics, weapons, and formations. The work details the changing role of the foot soldier, examining key engagements and strategic shifts across different epochs.

The book’s content, including chapters on the Roman Legion, medieval warfare, and Napoleonic-era conflicts, provides a structured and detailed account of the subject. The volume serves as a reference for scholars and military enthusiasts seeking to understand the historical framework of ground-level combat.

The book’s publisher’s note, dated Jan. 1862, states that the impression consists of 1,000 copies fools-cap 8vo, 500 copies post 8vo, and 50 numbered copies on Large Paper.

This particular copy is one of the more common impressions, but the total print run of 1,550 copies is a very small number for a book of this era. This limited production solidifies its status as a genuinely scarce item within the collecting market.

About the Author ✍️🏛️

H.B. Stuart was a British author and a specialist in military history. His work was produced during a period of significant military modernization and conflict, including the American Civil War.

Stuart’s detailed and structured approach to military analysis was a direct product of the intellectual climate of his time, where strategists and academics sought to codify the principles of warfare. His writings provided a systematic and scholarly perspective on the subject, appealing to both academic and professional military audiences. Stuart’s work contributed to a broader discourse on military strategy that was ongoing in Europe and North America.

His books were part of a new wave of scholarly military literature that moved beyond simple battle narratives to an in-depth analysis of tactics, logistics, and historical trends. His legacy is tied to his ability to synthesize vast amounts of historical data into a coherent and educational framework for the study of warfare.

Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The book’s publication in 1862 places it directly within the context of the American Civil War, a conflict that redefined military technology and strategy. The book’s focus on the historical development of infantry was particularly relevant during this period, as the role of the foot soldier was being challenged by new technologies such as rifled muskets and improved artillery.

The conflict forced military leaders to re-examine traditional tactics and embrace new methods, making works like Stuart’s essential for understanding the historical underpinnings of military doctrine. This volume provides a tangible connection to a time when both military theory and practice were in a state of rapid change. It reflects a new intellectual curiosity about the principles of warfare, a topic of great public concern as a major conflict raged on the North American continent. The book represents a scholarly attempt to bring order to the chaos of modern warfare by grounding it in a historical framework.

The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a fit for a curator of military history, a scholar of the American Civil War, or a collector of 19th-century academic texts. It is an acquisition for an individual who values a book's capacity to serve as a primary source for intellectual and historical analysis.

The volume’s status as a first edition of a specialized text makes it a definitive document from a specific period. It appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of publishing, military history, and institutional libraries. The item speaks to someone who understands that the value of an object is often in the narrative it tells and the institutional connections it represents. Its presence on a shelf would signal a deep-seated interest in the true history of military thought. This is an artifact for a collector who seeks items that are both intellectually substantive and historically verifiable.

Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

Published 163 years ago, this first edition is a scarce find due to its limited 1,550-copy print run.

The book’s value is driven by its historical context as a serious academic work published during a period of intense military conflict. Its survival in a presentable state for over a century and a half is a material fact that adds to its desirability. Many books from this era did not survive or were not well-maintained due to their utilitarian nature. Its importance as a historical and academic resource ensures its continued value as a prized item for any serious library. 

Condition 🔎📚✨

The book is in a good, presentable condition for a volume of its age, showing authentic wear consistent with a book from the 19th century that has been part of an institutional library.

• The hardcover binding features marbled boards and a leather spine. The boards show light rubbing and wear at the corners.

• The leather spine is intact with some rubbing and scuffing, but the gilt lettering remains clearly visible.

• The interior pages show some expected toning and minor foxing, which is a natural process for paper from this period.

• The binding is tight, and the text block is firm. There are no loose pages, and all leaves are present.

• The book contains multiple stamps and a bookplate from the University of California, Los Angeles Library, which are material facts of the item's history.

• There is a small, handwritten mark and a price on the front endpaper, which is a key historical indicator.

Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a unique inscription that provides a direct and personal connection to the item's history. This element transforms the volume from a collectible book into a singular historical artifact.

The book contains a bookplate on the front endpaper from the University of California, Los Angeles Library. The inscription and stamps document the book's journey from a personal collection to a major library.

The inscription and stamps read:

• The Library of the University of California, Los Angeles [University Seal]

• LOS ANGELES

• UD 15 S93h

• of. 3-13-50 $3.75

Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The year 1862 saw major engagements in the American Civil War, including the Battle of Shiloh and the Peninsula Campaign, making this book a contemporary analysis of military thought during a time of significant conflict.

• The publishing firm of G. Norman was a well-regarded printer in London during the 19th century, known for producing academic and technical works.

• The book's association with the University of California Library is significant, as the university was founded in 1868, making this book an early acquisition for its collection.

• The small piece of paper on the endpaper with the handwritten notation "$3.75" is a record of the book's past value and a material link to its journey.

Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The History of Infantry

• Author/Maker: H.B. Stuart

• Year: 1862

• Publisher/Foundry: C.F. Hodgson

• Place of Origin: London, UK

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Half-Leather Binding with Marbled Boards

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Very Rare