ALKEN, Henry; TALLY-HO, Ben

Military Discoveries

London: S & J Fuller, 1819. Item #02701

Scarce Misery in the Army

[ALKEN, Henry] TALLY-HO, Ben. Military Discoveries or, The Miseries of campaigning in a series of seven plates being Hints to Young Officers. London: S & J Fuller, March 24, 1819.

Oblong quarto (10 1/8 x 14 in; 257 x 355 mm). Seven uncolored aquatint plates loose in modern cloth portfolio with gilt-lettered black title label and silk ribbon tie. Without titlepage as issued.

OCLC/KVK record only three copies in institutional holdings worldwide, at University of London, Brown University, and University of Michigan. The last copy to come to auction was fifty-three years ago, in 1961.

The Plates:

1. In tasting the joys of bivouac you DISCOVER that in many parts of the Service the elegance of costume are not so much attended to.

2. On getting into a love affair, you DISCOVER that the numerous parts of the family assisted by some professional gentlemen are determined to revenge the supposed injury...

3. Having been but little time on board the Transport you DISCOVER that after your many lessons and long patience on riding you are but ill qualified to ride the Wooden Horse with any chance of comfort to yourself.

4. On recovering from a swoon you DISCOVER it was occasioned by your horse being shot under you...

5. Having volunteered to carry dispatches through the Enemy's Country you DISCOVER that you have a chance of amusement all the way in observing repeated parties of Gentlemen who are out Man Shooting.

6. Being awoke by a violent noise, and rushing from your quarters, you DISCOVER your Colonel who commands you, immediately to resist a serious and unexpected attack made on the Camp by the Enemy, withut waiting for any additoinal Clothes.

7. Going to dinner at a neighboring Vila, you are interrupted by a party of the enemy's foragers, who after stripping you of Pelisses, great Coats &C. you DISCOVER they are determined to carry you to their quarters some thirty miles ahead.

Not part the Le Vivier Library catalogue, the most renowned collection of of Alken. Not in Tooley. Not in Abbey.

Bobbins 340 (colored); Army Museums Ogilby Trust Index to British Military Costume Prints, 1500-1914, no. 44 (colored); Sterling Library IV, 24.

Price: $1,950.00