Unique sample book for horse tack hardware.
Large 4to (208 x 260 mm). A series of 10 folding engraved plates of horses, all approx. 24 x 25 cm. Includes a board of iron and silver-plated hardware mounted on the front pastedown (34 pieces in all). Early 19th century half calf with marbled covers.
€ 25,000.00
The set includes 11 buckles (a twelfth appears to have been lost), 4 square rings, 9 bosses, and 6 ornamental appliqués, all of which are mounted on the inside upper cover with string or metal tongues and have identifying number codes in (faded) pencil. The plates show horses in five different tack kits, each presented for a single horse and for a team of two. A customer choosing from this sample book would first have picked a design from the plates, then selected the buckles and other hardware he wished to see used from the specimens inside the front cover.
Covers rubbed; extremeties bumped. A few ruststained holes and pressure marks to the front flyleaf and first plate; occasional slight staining to plates; lower corner of flyleaf is missing. A unique sample book used by an unidentified early 19th century tack maker.