Mars stript of his Armour: or, the Army Displayed in all its True Colours. By the author of the Wooden World Dissected.

The first illustrated edition of this spirited character-led exploration of the ranks of the British army by prolific English satirist Edward 'Ned' Ward (1667-1731), a companion to his anatomization of the Navy. This was also the first reprint of the title for over 50 years, since its first appearance in 1709. Uncommon on the market, just a single copy of this edition appearing at auction. A pretty copy. The mordant frontispiece is an unsigned reissue of The Military Nurse, or Modern Officer, which was published separately by Carrington Bowles c.1750, with the credit "invented & engrav'd by R. Attwold" (BM 1854,0812.150). The rather fine original drawing is held by the British Museum, aptly described thus: "a sergeant approaching from the left, a halberd in his left hand and in his right, a pair of leading-strings with which he guides the youthful and spindle-legged officer who precedes him with a large Union flag, soldiers on the march indicated to left and right in the background". In his unpublished notes in the Department of Prints and Drawings, the keeper Edward Croft-Murray, remarked that Attwold, who is known for but a few drawings and plates, was "in his handling of red chalk (the medium of two BM drawings) certainly influenced by Hogarth, though Attwold's manner is less robust". Attwold addresses the perennial problem of the early modern army, the commissioning of wealthy but inexperienced young officers, the caption verses beginning, "By Dear Mama's Petition. And Good Papa's Purse, Jacky gets a Commission, And likewise a Nurse". ESTC T62092 Octavo in 4s. pp. [viii], 71, [1]. With an engraved frontispiece. Late 19th-century calf, black label, low bands with gilt rules to spine, single fillet gilt panel to the covers, foliate edge-roll,gilt. Very slightly rubbed, a couple of light scuffs; light browning, a couple of leaves with pale hygroscopic damping at the top corner; overall a very good copy. …