1824 First Edition of The Most Important Book on Armor: Meyrick's "A Critical Inquiry Into Antient Armour

MEYRICK, Samuel Rush. CRITICAL INQUIRY INTO ANTIENT ARMOUR, as it existed in Europe, but particularly in England, from the Norman Conquest to the reign of King Charles II: With a Glossary of Military Terms of the Middle Ages. London: Robert Jennings, 1824. 3 volumes. First edition. 27 hand -colored large illustrated chapter initials. 20, lxxvii, 206; 297; 147, glossary. A rare set of the first and best edition of Meyrick's study, widely acknowledged as the best book on armor ever produced. Meyrick's groundbreaking work was practically the first on the subject and remains an authority even today. Meyrick considered armour to have important connections with (truncated) many aspects of society: "With the history of the wars of mankind, obviously, and from the remotest periods, it is connected; with the mythology and sacred rites of almost all nations and religions; with the rise and progress of a large portion of the arts; with questions of jurisprudence and civil polity; and with some of the most favorite amusements of all ranks in antient, as well as modern, times" (preface). Meyrick demonstrates the significance of armor throughout history by including with carefully detailed textual outlines. The armour includes chainmail suits worn by Norman invaders in the 11th century, knights in battlefield plate armour with heraldic armorial surcoats of the 12th to 13th century, crossbowmen, archers and pikemen of the 15th century, knights in ornately decorated and embossed jousting armour of the 16th century, and Royalist cavaliers of the 17th century. There are chapters on English kings Richard I, Richard II, Henry VI, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Emperor Maximilian I, Richard Fitzhugh, Earl of Chester, Sir Thomas Peyton, Sir John Harsich, King Charles VII of France with Joan of Arc, Alfonso II, Fifth Duke of Ferrara, knights Templar, and other important military figures. Folios in contemporary marbled boards. Lettered in gilt on the spines between raised bands. Though the binding holds, the spine has deteriorated significantly. Cover boards show shelfwear and scuffing. Interior, however, is bright and clean aside from occasional pencil marginalia, seemingly indicating the copy used for re-editing the text in preparation for the second edition. Lacking the engraved and hand-colored plates but all text present. Overall in good condition. (Inventory #: 17287)