A History of the Sepoy War in India. 1857-1858;

London: William H. Allen and Co.,, 1870-80. Authoritative and dogmatic A cornerstone of any Indian Rebellion library. This is a set of mixed editions as usual: Kaye first published 1864-76, Malleson 1878-80, first edition of Pincott; increasingly difficult to find complete, this is a particularly handsome set. This is the standard "empire history... massive, verbose, all-embracing histories: authoritative and dogmatic: entirely noble in sentiment, entirely British in attitude and viewpoint" (Taylor). Sorsky draws attention to Sashi Chauduri's critical comments on Malleson's scholarship while noting that he does, however, "state that his work is the most exciting in Mutiny literature." 7 vols, octavo (218 x 135 mm). Maps and tables as called for. Early 20th century dark reddish-brown half morocco by Riviere & Son for H. Sotheran & Co., spines gilt lettered direct, raised bands, compartments neatly gilt with a double fillet enclosing a dotted panel, sides and corners trimmed with paired gilt fillets, matching red cloth sides, top edges gilt, swirled Nonpareil pattern marbled endpapers. A little light shelf wear, some scattered spotting as usual, a few gatherings lightly browned, couple of maps split at folds, a very good set. Bruce 4260, 4264, 4268; Ladendorf 59, 69, 87; Raugh 1439, 1483, 1558 (citing the 1896 edition); Sorsky 594 & 857; Taylor, A Companion to the "Indian Mutiny" of 1857, 1996, 432, 526, 639.