WATERLOO
THE WATERLOO COMMEMORATIVE ANTHOLOGY
This magnificent volume contains a unique collection of the most powerful and moving writing from all sides of the battle including reports, eye-witness accounts and letters, that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. They are combined with a wealth of sketches, illustrations, prints and maps, many rarely seen and some previously unpublished.
Waterloo was highly commended twice at the British Book Awards and has since gone on the win both the Short Run and Supreme Awards at the Print Design and Marketing Awards
THE ILLUSTRATIONS
IInterspersed throughout the book there are over 200 prints, maps, diagrams and facsimile documents, culled from sources across Europe and the United States.
Each image has been scanned at a high resolution and then digitally corrected before being proofed prior to printing. While we take great pains to remove any blemishes or marks, we take care to retain the original patina of each image, not over cleaning, so that they retain their original feel and look.
The pictures include original hand-coloured material from publishers proofs by kind permission of the Getty family library at Wormsley.
In addition there are a series of 34 etchings, originally published by John Booth, which have been beautifully coloured by renowned water colourist Peter Frith, to match the originals.
There is also a remarkable selection of sketches and Napoleonic satires from the Anne S K Brown Library.
We have also thoroughly researched Siborne’s letters and papers in the British Library for sketches and diagrams from his correspondents.
The famous panorama of the battlefield published by John Booth will be tipped into the book, as will the plan of the battle from Jones , a battle panorama from Mudford and a stunning etching of Daniel Maclise’s panel of Wellington meeting Blucher.
THE WRITING
The commemorative anthology uses William Mudford’s An Historical Account of the Campaign in the Netherlands, in 1815, under His Grace The Duke of Wellington and Marshal Prince Blucher, to provide the spine of the book. Interspersed throughout the text are the letters, reports and recollections from men of both sides and all nationalities, some famous, many obscure, but all writing with the visceral voice of a frontline participant.
We have scoured the libraries, the archives and the private collections to assemble a wealth of original sources which will bring the battle to life and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. These are the forgotten voices of Waterloo, reminding us of the astonishing events of the 16th, 17th and 18th June 1815. The result is an extraordinarily vivid depiction of the battle through the eyes of the men who were there. It is their voices that we seek to remember and their experiences that we seek to preserve for generations to come.
We have sourced the final notes and letters written immediately before and after the battle by the Duke himself from the collection of his papers at Southampton University. As well as numerous letters and accounts from men of all sides and all ranks we have also reproduced The Duke’s first draft of the Waterloo Dispatch in its entirety, fully transcribed and with footnotes.
THE MAPS
The smaller maps are reproduced within the book. They include the campaign maps and battle plans published by Jones and Mudford.
The larger maps comprising all 8 of Siborne’s famous anaglyptographs will be folded and presented within a separate portfolio. This has enabled us to recreate them full size and to preserve the three dimensional effect created by their exceptionally fine engraving. This can be seen to best effect when a light source is placed at the centre of the top of the maps and a little experimentation will reward the reader with a stunning image of the topography.
Siborne’s maps include two each of:
Quatre Bras [3pm & 9pm],
Ligny [2.30pm & 8.30pm],
Waterloo [11.30pm & 8.30pm]
and Wavre 18th & 19th].
All the maps and images have been scanned or photographed using ultra high-resolution equipment to enable the printer to recreate them in stunning clarity. The text will be printed on a specially made acid free archival quality paper and the maps and tipped in illustrations will be printed on a similar but heavier stock to ensure their longevity.
The anthology comes complete with a separate portfolio of maps all printed full size, creating the ultimate commemorative collection.
Released in a limited edition of 1815 copies of which 200 are exemplary to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo
Each commemorative volume is quarter leather bound, by hand, in a high quality, chocolate calf, with gold bands and lettering to the spine, and with the covers of scarlet bookbinders silk blocked in a design featuring the British and Prussian flags rampant, with the Tricolour fallen.
Specially made end papers feature scenes from Maclise’s, rarely seen, cartoons. These, his pencil preparations for his great panel in the House of Commons, are reproduced by kind permission of the National Gallery. Each volume will also have three ribbons in blue and red, matching that of the Waterloo medal.
Each book is presented complete with a portfolio of maps. The portfolio is also quarter bound in chocolate calf with gilt bands and with the covers in scarlet silk, to best match the book. The portfolio contains eight maps secured in archival pockets crafted in a deep brown card.
The portfolio and book are housed in a chocolate brown kashgar covered slipcase.
The commemorative edition will be delivered by courier in a double walled, foam-lined carton, to prevent damage.
The Exemplary Edition consists of the same book block and end papers, however all three sides are gilded. In addition the book is fully leather bound, by hand, in a specially selected chocolate calf, with raised bands and gold lettering to the spine and featuring the cover design embroidered in coloured thread with gold and silver details.
The map portfolio is also hand crafted in a full leather binding of matching calf with raised bands on the spine, blocked in gold with the design of the Waterloo medal and lined with scarlet silk.
The Exemplary also features two additional maps, including a facsimile of the Duke of Wellington’s own map, which he is believed to have used during the battle and a full sized copy of Du Craan’s incredibly detailed map, which he created for the King. The key to which appears fully translated on the reverse.
The Exemplary Edition and the leather map portfolio are presented together in a hand crafted, wooden writing slope, designed to replicate the traditional travelling desk that an officer would have taken on the campaign. The box is especially lined to snugly protect the book and portfolio, with the writing slope designed to function as a lectern for displaying your book.
PRICES
The Waterloo Commemorative Anthology will be strictly limited to 1815 copies worldwide.
The Waterloo Commemorative Anthology was officially published on 18th May 2015, exactly one month before the bicentenary.
The Commemorative Edition is available at £950 a copy.
Shipping packing courier costs:
UK £45 Channel Islands £65 EU £60 USA/CAN £110 AUS/NZ £135
For all other destinations please contact us.
The remaining 200 copies will make up the Exemplary Edition.
The Exemplary Edition is available at £2000
Shipping packing courier costs:
UK £65 Channel Islands £75 EU £80 USA/CAN £120 AUS/NZ £140
For all other destinations please contact us
WATERLOO ORGANISATIONS
If you want to read more about the battle go to Gareth Glover’s website, with over 35 books to his name no one has written more about the battle.
If you want an excellent video summary of the battle go to: epichistory.tv
If you want to find your nearest regimental museum try the Ogilby Trust.
If you want to visit the battlefield itself, go with world reknowned expert Ian Fletcher.
Or expert tour company The Cultural Experience.
If you really want to get stuck in and learn more join The Waterloo Association.
If you are interested in re-enacting or wargaming then the Napoleonic Association is for you.
If you want to help support the restoration of Hougoumont Farm, go to Project Hougoumont.
If you want to know about the Waterloo Medal you need to visit Ulric of England.
If you need more information about visiting Belgium then try their lovely tourist office, belgiumtheplaceto.be
And when you get there don’t miss the Wellington Museum.
If you want to help restore the grave and reoutation of the famous Alexander Cavalie Mercer: www.gtrooprha.co.uk