Military Antiquities Respecting a History of the English Army, From the Conquest to the Present Time

London: S. Hooper, 1786-88. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 11" by 8.5". Various. The first edition of this illustrated extensive history of the English military, a pioneering historical study by Francis Grose. The first edition.Complete in two volumes.An impressive and extensive history of the English military, looking at the Army from the Conquest up to the end of the eighteenth century.This was a pioneering and popular work when first published, delving into the long history of England and their powerful military, with passages on important battles and victories. Grose researched this work with his resources at the library and armouries at the Tower of London.Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, engraved title, and thirteen plates.Volume II illustrated with an engraved title, and sixty-five plates.Collated, complete.Written by Francis Grose, an antiquary and lexicographer. He started publishing his 'Supplement' to 'Antiquities' in 1776, having to stop shortly between 1778 and 1783 whilst he was in the militia, resuming publication in 1783, and also published additional works on Scotland and Ireland antiquities. In a modern quarter calf binding with cloth to the boards, and new endpapers. Externally, smart, with only a couple of light marks to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with scattered spots, mostly to the plates, heavier to the title pages. Very Good Indeed