Splendeur Des Uniformes De Napoleon: La Garde Imperiale A Pied (2003) By Charles Herissey
 
1st volume of this spectacular series
 
The Guard has written many of the most beautiful pages in the history of the Third Empire . It was on July 29, 1804 that Napoleon created it. He wanted an elite army, he got it. In 1809, the distinction was made between Old and Young Guard. The former retaining their role as an elite troop, the latter essentially forming a reserve corps. It is found on all battlefields. In Russia, they left 30,000, and only returned 500! His last page of glory was obviously at Waterloo, under Cambronne's orders: "The Guard dies and does not surrender." It brings together troops on foot or on horseback, but also sailors. They are French, Dutch, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish or Mamelukes. After the Cavalry, but before the Horse Guard, this volume devoted to the Foot Guard, is the second in a series of five books that allow us to discover Charmy. This work, Splendor of Napoleon's Uniforms, is a very precious contribution to the memory of the Great Year. 
 
The plates in this book effectively reproduce 1300 color gouaches of the uniforms of Napoleon's Guard à Pied. Charmy's reputation led to his being one of the major uniform advisors to Abel Gance when he was making his famous movie, Napoleon.

The Guard à Pied is here depicted in locations such as Russia and Waterloo as well as in static poses. There are also many plates depicting details of insignia, flags and other uniform detail, right down to horse equipment.

Charmy's fine ability as a uniformologist and an artist were first presented in book form in the precursor to this volume on the Cavalry. Three further volumes will follow to complete this set.
 
Heavily illustrated and written in French Text
 
Hard Cover with Dust Jacket
234 pages
In Good condition