The Military Engineer in India.
Chatham: The Institution of Royal Engineers, 1933-35 Stock Code: 141363
First and sole edition, 1, 000 sets printed, of this handsome and comprehensive monograph. A superbly provenanced set: presentation copy from the author, each volume inscribed on the front free endpaper, "Presented to General Sir Reginald Wingate, GCB, GCVO, GBE, KCMG, DSO, by Lt Colonel E. W. C. Sandes (the author), 20th March 1935"; volume I also bearing Sandes name and address in his hand, annotation to the map end pocket and each of the maps signed. As attested by his many decorations, Wingate (1861-1953) had a long and illustrious career, which began with a posting to India in March 1881 as a 20-year old lieutenant with the Royal Artillery, although it was in Egypt and the Sudan where he made his name and served for almost his entire professional career. "At the time of his death he had long been the senior general in the British army" (ODNB).
As Sandes writes in his preface to volume II, volume I covers "fortification and war from 1640 to the present day", while the second volume itself covers irrigation, drainage, hydro-electric supply, roads, buildings, railways, marine works, surveying, archaeology and geology, telegraphs, mints, administration and education.
Description
2 volumes, large octavo. Original red fine oblique-grain cloth, gilt-lettered spines, front covers with gilt stamp of the cap badge of the Royal Engineers.
Illustrations
Half-tone frontispieces, 64 similar plates, 18 maps and planes, an additional 9 folding maps in end pockets.
Condition
Each pastedown with the ownership inscription of "C. C. Davies, Balliol College, Oxford, November 1953"; Davies was Reader in Indian History at Oxford. Spines sunned, bindings a little shaken, rear inner hinges cracked but sound, a few nicks to head and tail of spines. A very good set.
Bibliography
Bruce 3922.
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