Remarkably fine series of hand-coloured prints of military costumes after Paul I in an exceptional contemporary Russian binding. The book was printed at the personal bequest of his son Tsar Nicholas I in an incredibly small edition. The short reign of Paul I ended with his murder in 1801, and was marked by his obsession with dress uniforms. All ten of the figures in this rare suite are drawn in the same posture, at attention with arms firmly clasped to sides, and though this gives them a slightly doll-like quality, they are painstakingly and beautifully coloured by a contemporary hand. Nicholas I viewed his father with deep reverence and also admired the pomp and order of the Imperial army, this publication was an attempt to honour his father's legacy.

First edition, small folio (31 x 22 cm); lithographic title and 10 unnumbered coloured by contemporary hand (title soiled at foot where mark of ownership erased, bottom corners of leaves with very light staining, pl. 7 with printed Russian caption and early manuscript German translation; contemporary green Russian morocco, upper cover lettered in gilt, both covers with elaborate panelling in gilt and blind, flat spine in gilt panels, gilt turn-ins, blue endpapers, gilt edges (extremities rubbed, tiny split in joint at head of spine), a fine copy.