Waterloo, a die-cut picture book illustrated by W.H. Ellam, first edition 1891

ELLAM, W. H. (1858-1935), illustrator. Waterloo. London: Castell Brothers, [1891]. Printed in Munich.

Original colour-illustrated card covers, die-cut, secured with string. Twelve unnumbered pages, excluding covers. Rubbing and creasing to the extremities, particularly the projecting upper tips; some light soiling and spotting. Otherwise a very good copy, retaining strong cover colours.

An attractively produced Victorian children's account of Waterloo, illustrated by W. H. Ellam. Eight illustrations including the front cover and monochrome title-page and rear page vignettes, counting the double-page central battle scene as one. The striking cover incorporates British and French flags, crossed swords, a cavalry helmet and a breastplate bearing the title. Inside, the central illustration depicts French cavalry charging British infantry, while the patriotic narrative celebrates the resistance of the British squares and Napoleon's defeat.

A scarce example of military history. Issued alongside a similarly illustrated Trafalgar booklet. Library Hub Discover records only the British Library copy of Waterloo, compared with British Library and Cambridge holdings for Trafalgar, so scarce.