Add MS 57980

REGLEMENT VOR DIE KÖNIGL. PREUSSISCHE INFANTERIE: fair copy of a military handbook containing regulations for the infantry, issued by Frederick the Great; 1743. German. Apparently published in Berlin in the same year (see f. 172). Divided into twelve parts covering formation, manoeuvres, equipment, etc., followed (ff. 173-175) by an index to the chapters and headings. A version of the title-page in French, which has been added in ink to the blank page immediately preceding the original title-page, bears the pencil note 'ce doit etre le manuscrit envoyé par M. de Valori, ambassadeur a Berlin, mentionné dans la Correspondance' (f. iv). Kept formerly in the Bibliothèque de Dinteville (engraved bookplate, f. i). and subsequently owned by General [Emile] Mellinet (book-stamp, f. iv), whose library was given to the Dépôt de la Guerre, Bibliothèque, Ministère de la Guerre (book-stamps, ff. iv, 176v). Transferred from the Department of Printed Books, 6 Nov. 1973.

Paper; ff. iv+176. Original ink foliation (ff. 1-172). 340 x 219mm (covers). Contemporary binding of mottled calf, with blind-ruled compartment on each cover. Spine includes five raised bands with gilt-tooled ornamentation incorporating label bearing legend 'REGLE MENT'. Small white paper label bearing inscription 'A. 1 d 501' at head of spine, laid down over remains of previous green paper label. Marbled endpapers and green silk book-marker. 'MS 876' written in pencil at the head of ff. iiv, iii, and 'A. 1. d. 501' at the head of f. iv, replacing the press-mark incorporated in the French title-page, 'A. 1. d. 430', which has been crossed through.