Arms and Armor: A Pictorial Archive from Nineteenth-Century Sources (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

I bought this book expecting a lot of good pictures and diagrams. I did get that; however, I didn't get anything else. The saving grace of the book is that the pictures are in fact excellent, and, it does say right on the front cover that the pictures are from ninteenth-century sources. The 1800s' aren't exactly known for their high quality of historical accuracy, and it's only in the most contemporary armour, approximately late 1400's through 1600's, that the illustrations are most reliable. Before that point, it can be downright abysmal, as oftentimes it portrays armour from the wrong period; for example, suits of obviously 16th-century armour are depicted upon pages captioned "14th Century". I would not rely upon this as an factual source at all, and only use it as a source of clip-art or artistic inspiration. As I said, the pictures are pretty, but that's about it... Over thousands of years, man has developed an enormous variety of offensive and defensive weapons for use in battle as well as a vast array of armor and other protective devices. Now artists and illustrators can draw on this extensive archive for superb copyright-free illustrations of vintage arms, armor, and other battlefield paraphernalia. Choose from a rich trove of over 750 illustrations compiled from rare nineteenth-century sources. Included are detailed, high-quality depictions arranged chronologically and, to some extent, geographically of suits of armor, chain mail, swords, halberds, spears, pikes, lances, crossbows, axes, daggers, helmets, shields, knives, small arms, and a host of other implements, along with scenes of battle, siege, jousts, soldiers, horses, and more. Especially suitable for projects requiring a medieval or old-fashioned flavor, these illustrations reproduce extremely well. They will fill a myriad of needs for battle-related graphic art. Over 750 detailed, high-quality illustrations from rare 19th-century sources: suits of armor, chain mail, swords, helmets, knives, crossbows and other implements, along with scenes of battle, soldiers, horses, artillery and more. Especially suitable for projects requiring a medieval or old-fashioned flavor, these illustrations will fill a myriad of needs for battle-related graphic art.

over 750 Detailed, High-quality Illustrations From Rare 19th-century Sources: Suits Of Armor, Chain Mail, Swords, Helmets, Knives, Crossbows And Other Implements, Along With Scenes Of Battle, Soldiers, Horses, Artillery And More. Especially Suitable For Projects Requiring A Medieval Or Old-fashioned Flavor, These Illustrations Will Fill A Myriad Of Needs For Battle-related Graphic Art.