Loyal Rulers and Leaders of the East, 1922, Deluxe Special Limited First Edition

Binding Details:  A stunning signed binding by Zaehnsdorf, London of full red morocco leather with an elaborately gilt decorated spine and covers that features green and black morocco leather onlays to the covers with the front cover panel comprised of an intricately curving acanthus pattern with leaves forming and containing a black gilt fleuron and a red-framed inlaid title to centerpiece of the cover. There are five raised bands to the spine separated by gold gilt compartments that contain gold gilt titling, blue silk doublures, gold gilt turn-ins and dentelles, and all page edges with gold gilting. The Zaehnsdorf binder’s stamp appears in the center of the inside front cover in gold gilt indicating that this is the “Edition De Luxe, Special Edition, Bound by Zaehnsdorf”. The book is housed in a custom made silk clamshell box with Italian hand-painted endpapers and a leather spine label by The Stonehouse Bindery.

Book Details:  This is the Edition De Luxe, Special First Edition of "Loyal Rulers and Leaders of the East" published by Zaehnsdorf Limited, London in 1922 that focuses on the rulers and leaders in India, Ceylon and Malay who contributed to the Allied effort in World War I. The book features photogravure frontispieces of King George V and Queen Mary and is richly illustrated with photographic portraits. In his introduction Field Marshal Earl Haig of Bemersyde wrote, “The Indian Army during World War I contributed a number of divisions to the European, Mediterranean and the Middle East theatres of war in World War I. Ultimately, one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded. The Indian Army fought against the German Empire in German East Africa and on the Western Front. At the First Battle of Ypres, Khudadad Khan became the first Indian to be awarded a Victoria Cross. “By their active cooperation with the Allied Nations of the West in their epic struggle for liberty and justice, the Ruling Princes and leaders of the East have made their latest contribution to the advancement of humanity. They command the respect and admiration of the entire world by their capacity for devotion to the principles of true progress” (Earl of Carnwath). “The part played by Indian troops in the opening stages of the War in France, their gallant and courageous bearing in the face of strange conditions, an adverse climate and great odds, are known in every corner of the British Empire. The accomplished splendid things, and won high renown when there were few to uphold the banner of the King-Emperor”

The book measures approximately 12” x 9.5” x 2” with 543 pages as well as a table of contents, author’s foreword, and an introduction by Field Marshal Earl Haig of Bemersyde .

Condition Report:  The binding is in FINE- condition with some generalized surface wear to the center red leather panel of the rear cover. This is a large heavy book and to protect the integrity of the binding the hinges have been reinforced. Internally, the book is very clean with no signs of previous ownership. 

Photographs of the binding, doublures, clamshell box, and the portrait frontispieces appear in the photo section of the listing.