"Lumboski's Lancer book" Topic

I've just read and reviewed this new book on Napoleon's Polish Lancers:

link

… hope it's helpful? Comments here and over at my blog always welcomed.
Thanks

Sebastian

I have the book. If you're interested in this outstanding regiment, the book is a must-have.

thanks for the review – very helpfull.

Brechtel, agreed: essential reading/reference, for the enthusiast.

And thanks von Winterfeldt. Positive feedback is always very pleasant and encouraging!

Best, Sebastian

On that cover- that is the first time ever I have seen depicted a greatcoat/ manteau UNDER the portemanteau, for any mounted regiment or bearer.

Seems counter-intuitive and unnecessarily difficult [to reach] if it were to be required for foul weather quickly. And it is also more grey- whereas Rousselot shows basic white.

Also the 'folding' and stowage of the manteau/ capote where used also had an etiquette that was usually followed, that is showing a portion of the regiments facing colour on [half of] top of the stowed coat.

Not like an elite unit and one of 'his' favourites to ignore the rules, donchathink?

Does an illustration define the tome, perhaps not, but for all the accuracy inside, you would wonder why such issues would not be addressed as pictures carry the day as we know.

BTW, that cockade/ cross is also too large (in diameter). They did not extend to the middle dividing lace of the czapska.
regards davew

SHaT1984: I have no idea about the manteau/portmanteau business you mention, nor even the cockade stuff. Although that said, re the latter there are some original czapki in the book (and viewable online) where the cockade is pretty large, and does pretty much reach the central band (the latter itself, like the cockade, quite variable in its size).

My major gripe re the cover image is that it's by the author himself, and not as good/nice as some of the other images in the book, in particular the more contemporaneous 'plates', such as Martinet prints, Rousselot's paintings, or even the rather naive Otto manuscript images. Best of all are thing's like Vernet's paintings.

But image reproduction and overall print production values are the chief failing of this otherwise pretty splendid volume. As to overall accuracy regarding gear, etc, I'm prepared to trust Lubomski. The evidence of this book alone is testimony to an immense and obsessive level of interest and research in his subject.

No offence meant to you (Dave?), but I have no idea what credentials you have on the subject to make such definitive sounding pronouncements. Napoleonic uniformology seems to me, from my own relatively limited knowledge and experience, to be a minefield of multiple possibilities and potential confusion.

But the chief concern of my post was to alert people to the availability of this really rather excellent work, and the obvious efforts the author has gone to to throw more light on a fascinating if often vexed area of a very compelling subject.

The cloak and portmanteau issue.

This is a circular, rounded portmanteau of light cavalry (and even heavy if British). The square portmanteau of the cuirassiers, dragoons, grenadiers etc did tend to show the cloak/coat rolled on top of it. Securely as a flat surface. There was indeed that fashion to show both off white and the facing colour lining which looks so good in models. However I think by the late Empire the lining had gone.

Other than in a Rousellot Carabinier, I have never seen a round portmanteau with a cloak on top. Even less underneath. It went across the pommel of the saddle in front (or around the shoulder…the right shoulder…of the rider)

On that cover- that is the first time ever I have seen depicted a greatcoat/ manteau UNDER the portemanteau, for any mounted regiment or bearer.

I agree that looks odd.