Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm von | The first edition of the principal military manual of the American Revolution

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm von

Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. Philadelphia: Printed by Styner and Cist, 1779

12mo (172 x 105 mm). Eight engraved folding plates; scattered spotting and staining throughout, light fold separation to a few plates, edges occasionally frayed, plate VII detached but present. Original half-calf and paste-paper boards, several contemporary and slightly later ownership inscriptions, endpapers and blanks comprised of waste sheets from a January 1776 issue of The Pennsylvania Magazine (as is typical); binding wormed and worn. In a half morocco box with cloth chemise.

An excellent copy of the first edition of this important military manual written expressly for the use of American troops during the Revolutionary War.

This copy is bound in original boards with contemporary paste-downs and endpapers. Interestingly, the front and rear preliminary matter is made up of leaves from The Pennsylvania Magazine, printed by Robert Aitken. This copy also contains a series of contemporary ownership inscriptions, indicating this copy was passed from officer to officer in the American army.

"The German-born Steuben, well trained in the highly disciplined military system developed under Frederick the Great, served as inspector general of the Continental Army. In this capacity he wrote his Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States on orders from the Continental Congress. First published in 1779, the work became the standard text for the Continental Army and the United States Army into the early nineteenth century. Fifty editions, abridgments, extracts, and adaptations were printed before 1800. Steuben’s contribution to American independence cannot be underestimated. 'He was unrivaled among the citizens of the new nation as an expert on military affairs. His introduction of European military concepts to the Continental army marks the beginning of a truly professional military tradition in the United States' — ANB. A fascinating copy of the first military manual devised for the Continental Army, with interesting contemporary endpapers and provenance" (Celebration).

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 84; Evans 16627; Hildeburn 3945; Howes S951; Revolutionary Hundred 59; Sabin 91395