A STAFF OFFICER’S SCRAP-BOOK During the Russo-Japanese War

2 volumes. First edition, first impression of each volume. Profusely illustrated with photographs, plans and maps. Many of the plans and maps are folding, maps printed in colours. Thick 8vo, publisher’s original bindings of royal blue ribbed cloth lettered and ruled in gilt on spines, upper covers with gilt printed signatures and border rules in blind. x, 362; xi, 387 including index, 16 pages of ads. A very nice set, very handsome and bright, some bits of age evidence to the cloth at the board edges as is normal.

Edizione: a very scarce set in first issue format for each volume. this set is also in quite bright and pleasing condition. after more than twenty-five years of proving his mettle in india and afghanistan, ian hamilton was appointed foreign attaché to the first japanese army during the outbreak of the russo-japanese war in 1904. although his movements in the field were severely restricted, hamilton’s descriptive powers as a writer turned this war diary into one of the most acclaimed and widely read military memoirs of the period.<br> hamilton’s scrap-book was hailed by britannica as “a book which by reason of the interest of its subject, the charm of the author’s style, and and the combination of war experience and of imagination which inspired his judgments and criticisms, at once took rank in europe as a modern military classic.” <br> both volumes of this fine set include copious illustrations and fold-out maps, and many remain to this day in remarkable condition.<br> this set with the ownership signature of sir donald currie, and noted as being from his steam yacht iolaire. further there is a tipped 1920 typed label of his daughter, margaret (currie) mirrielees, which also notes the volumes as ex-libris the s.y. iolaire. currie was a ship owner, member of parliament and noted philanthropist. his political career began in 1875 when, due to his knowledge of south african affairs gained as an owner of the union steamship company, lord carnarvon, the colonial secretary, entrusted him with the conduct of negotiations with president brand of the orange free state and president burgers of the transvaal republic regarding the occupation of the kimberley diamond fields. currie entered parliament in 1880 and in 1886 he broke on the home rule question with gladstone, whom he had hitherto followed. he represented west perthshire until his retirement from parliament in 1900. he remained on intimate social terms with gladstone, who was on several occasions between 1883 and 1895 his guest with other distinguished persons on one or other of his ships for summer cruises.