Manufacturers of Stable or Head Collars, Heads & Reins, Stirrup Leathers, Girths, Cruppers, Bridles, Martingals, Cavershams...

rare illustrated trade catalogue with material samples tipped-in

A rare saddlery trade catalogue, with 145 engraved plates listing over 40 items of equestrian equipment from racing saddles to hunting dram bottles, and patent leather cavalry sword belts to the harness, collars, and furniture needed to equip a six-horse carriage. Several plates with contemporary hand colouring, others with original samples of materials tipped-in.

The catalogue was probably assembled in the mid-nineteenth century from earlier plates, which are similar in style to those used in a sales 'catalogue of harness and saddlery' held by the Victoria & Albert Museum and dated c.1800. Many of the printed labels are positioned over earlier prices, suggesting that the catalogue was used over an extended period of time, with the sales prices updated at some point in its history.

Oblong 4to (31 x 25 cm); 145 engraved plates, several with contemporary hand-colouring and original samples of materials tipped-in, other plates tinted in sepia, some plates folding, leaves numbered to recto upper right corner with stamp, corresponding printed contents page tipped-in to front pastedown, printed price labels tipped to plates, stab-sewn, hinges strengthened; original blue cloths boards rebacked in calf, paper label pasted to upper board (loss to upper left corner), corners bumped, areas of wear and stains, internally a little spotting and toning, overall a very good example.