Strategic Camouflage - PRESENTED TO THE ATHENAEUM

First edition of this scarce work by Solomon J Solomon R.A., a well established artist who had trained at the Royal Academy Schools, Munich Academy, and École des Beaux-Arts. While serving as a private in the Artist's Rifles, he began to promote his ideas about the importance and application of camouflage through the press, eventually attracting the attention of the War Office. In late 1915 Solomon visited the Western Front to study the techniques being employed by the French École de Camouflage which was headed by the head scenic painter from the Opéra de Paris. As a result he was sent to France to establish a camouflage section and later in the war was recalled to London where he concentrated on perfecting the concealment of large areas of terrain, a subject which culminated in the publication of this work.

DESCRIPTION: Blue/ green publisher’s cloth boards in good condition, sunned to spine, a touch age toned. Probable library identifying number written neatly in white to tail of near board. Front pastedown reveals a handwritten ‘Atheneum’ presentation bookplate reading ‘Presented by Solomon J Solomon Esq. R.A., P.R.B.A. Apr 30 1920’. Front loose endpaper contains the handwritten inscription, ‘With the author’s congratulations’. B/W full page frontispiece in excellent condition. Title page blind stamped ‘Atheneum Library 1920’ and stamped ‘SOLD BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE’. Complete set of 30 illustrations and plates. 62 pp. collated and complete.