The Illustrated War News – Being a Pictorial Record of the Great War. Complete Eight-Volume Set (1914–1916)

This complete eight-volume edition of The Illustrated War News is an exceptional contemporary record of the opening years of the First World War, covering the period from 12 August 1914 to 7 June 1916. Published by The Illustrated London News and Sketch Ltd., these substantial volumes collect the weekly wartime issues into an impressive library set that documents the conflict as it unfolded.

Containing hundreds of contemporary photographs, illustrations, maps, battle reports and portraits of military leaders, the series offers an invaluable primary source for collectors, historians and researchers. The Illustrated War News chronicle many of the defining events of the early war, including the mobilisation of British and Allied forces, the Western Front, Gallipoli, naval engagements, aerial warfare and life on the Home Front.

Bound in attractive quarter leather with decorative gilt-stamped spines and gilt-lettered covers, The Illustrated War News displays beautifully despite its age and remains an impressive addition to any military history or antiquarian library. Complete early sets are increasingly difficult to find, particularly those that retain all eight original bound volumes. Their historical significance and wealth of contemporary illustrations make them highly desirable among collectors of First World War material and illustrated periodicals.

A remarkable survivor from the Great War, The Illustrated War News represents one of the finest pictorial records published during the conflict and remains an important historical reference more than a century after its publication.

Condition – Good

Complete eight-volume quarter leather set with decorative gilt-stamped leather spines and faded gilt titles to the cloth-covered boards. The set is moderately edge worn with rubbing to the leather, bumped corners and wear to the extremities consistent with age and handling. Several volumes exhibit what appears to be historic insect damage resulting in areas of cloth loss to the covers, together with evidence of prior bookworm. Volume V has damage to the head of the spine. The bindings remain sound overall and the interiors appear clean from the photographs provided.