A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813

London: Heinemann, [1979].

Exceptionally astute letters by a British infantry soldier during the Peninsular War

(Item #3832) A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813. Michael Glover.

A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813

London: Heinemann, [1979]. First edition. Large octavo (9 3/16 x 6 inches; 234 x 152 mm.). Collating [8], 181, [1, blank]. One of twenty-five copies signed (on the half-title) by Michael Glover and Sir Antony Read and specially bound by Zaehnsdorf (stamp-signed in gilt on front turn-in) in full black morocco. Covers ruled in gilt, front cover with an oval onlaid red morocco medallion (3 1/2 x 2 15/16 inches; 88 x 75 mm.) stamped in gilt with the silhouette portrait of George Hennell (reproducing the portrait on the front flap of the dust jacket). Spine panelled and lettered in gilt with five raised bands and with a circular red morocco onlay with the Zaehnsdorf monogram stamped in gilt at the foot, board edges ruled in gilt, turn-ins decoratively stamped in gilt, all edges gilt, red watered silk doublures and liners. Original pictorial dust jacket bound in at end. Six double-sided photographic plates and several maps and plans in the text. Housed in the original fleece-lined black cloth slipcase. A Fine copy.

“Of this edition 25 copies have been reserved by arrangement with the publishers for fine binding by Zaehnsdorf. This is copy number 9 which has been specially bound for David Brass” (calligraphed on an inserted limitation leaf at front). Hennell served in Wellington's Army during the Peninsular War (1807-1814). Hennell wrote letters home and they are renowned for providing insight into everyday life for infantry soldiers.
(Item #3832)

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A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813
A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813
A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813
A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813
A Gentleman Volunteer: The Letters of George Hennell from the Peninsular War 1812-1813