BOISSELIER French military costumes. S.l., ca. 1920-30. - 2 strong volumes in-4, 292x255. Red half-maroquin with corners, spines decorated with mosaic military attributes, gilt heads (Yseux sr Thierry-Simier). An exceptional collection of 435 original watercolors by Henry BOISSELIER (1881-1959), one of the greatest military illustrators of the 20th century and a specialist in historical uniforms. These drawings were executed under the direction of physician Captain Ravaud. In this collection, the artist offers a complete panorama of French military uniforms, from Gallic times to the First World War. The copy includes a handwritten false title, an illustrated title, and 20 parts containing 435 watercolor drawings, including 20 false titles, and 33 engravings. They are organized as follows: - Gallic warriors. Gallo-Roman soldiers: illustrated false title and 9 costume drawings. - Frankish, Merovingian and Carolingian soldiers: illustrated false title and 7 drawings. - Feudalists from Hugues-Capet to Philippe-Auguste: illustrated false title and 13 drawings. - Les Féodaux de Philippe-Auguste à la Guerre de Cent-Ans: illustrated false title, 15 drawings and an engraved portrait (LOUIS IX by Ridé after Naigeon, manière noire in color, 1789). - Les Féodaux. La Guerre de Cent Ans: illustrated false title, 36 drawings and one engraved portrait (OLIVIER DE CLISSON by Ridé after Sergent, manière noire en couleurs, 1788). - The Italian Wars. Charles VIII-François I: illustrated false title, 25 drawings and 4 engraved portraits (LOUIS XII, by Morret after Naigeon, manière noire en couleurs, 1789. - ANNE DE MONTMORENCY, old unsigned engraving, painted. - CHARLES, duc de Bourbon, engraved by Gasper Bouttats (17th century). - FRANÇOIS Ier, by Madame de Cernal after Sergent, manner noire in colors, 1790). - Les Guerres de religion: illustrated false title and 14 drawings. - L'Armée de Henri IV 1589-1610: illustrated false title and 6 drawings. - L'Armée de Louis XIII: illustrated false title, 12 drawings and 3 engraved portraits (RICHELIEU engraved by Schellenberger. - FRANÇOIS DE L'HOSPITAL engraved by Moncornet. - HENRI D'ORLÉANS engraved by Moncornet). - L'Armée de Louis XIV: illustrated false title, 18 drawings and 7 engraved portraits, 6 by Moncornet (LOUIS XIV. - HENRI DE LA TOUR D'AUVERGNE. - LOUIS DE BOURBON. - ANTOINE D'AUMONT DE ROCHEBARON. - HENRI DE LORRAINE. - ABRAHAM DUQUESNE) and one in the black manner in color (JEAN-BAPTISTE DE VALBELLE). - L'Armée de Louis XV: illustrated false title, 52 drawings and 3 engraved portraits (RENÉ DUGAY-TROUIN engraved by Madame de Cernel after Sergent, 1789. - COMTE DE FORBIN drawn and engraved by Sergent, 1789. - MARÉCHAL DE SAXE, engraving before the letter, unsigned). - L'Armée de Louis XVI: illustrated false title, 16 drawings and an original lithograph in black by Scheffer (at the head of the second volume). - Les Armées de la 1re République: illustrated false title, 21 drawings and 5 portraits (DUMOURIEZ. - ADAM PHILIPPE DE CUSTINE. - BONAPARTE (x 3 including 2 in color). - Les Armées du 1er Empire: illustrated false title, 48 drawings, 9 engraved portraits including 8 of NAPOLÉON and one of officers, as well as 6 reproductions including 5 of engravings and one of a binding. - L'Armée de la Restauration: illustrated false title and 31 drawings. - The Army under Louis Philippe: illustrated false title and 17 drawings. - The Army of the 2nd Republic: illustrated false title and 5 drawings. - The Army under Napoleon III: forged illustrated title and 40 drawings. - The Army of the 3rd Republic: false illustrated title and 19 drawings. - The Soldiers of the Great War: false illustrated title and 11 drawings. All drawings have been produced on strong paper and mounted on tabs. They are all signed and captioned by the artist. A superb copy in a mosaic binding by Yseux, enriched at the end by a fine oil on canvas, mounted on tabs, signed by the painter of military subjects Albert Ferdinand LE DRU (1848-?), depicting a soldier in a tavern (wear). Some minor wear to bindings.