Old Prussian Uniforms in 1806

Below is a series of original watercolors depicting Prussian uniforms in the year 1806. They comprise just over 60 watercolors that were created in the 19th century; whether before or after 1850 is not certain, but probably in the first half of that century.

The series offered on an auction platform comprised nearly 100 watercolors, with the cavalry regiments fully represented. However, since the plates were auctioned individually, the author was only able to secure the images shown here.

The picture series was probably originally conceived as a complete portrayal of the uniforms of the Prussian army at that time, each showing an officer, a non-commissioned officer and an enlisted man — sometimes also a trumpeter. Occasionally the soldier's rear view is also shown. Various modes of dress are presented.

However, the offered illustrations already lacked higher ranks (general officers), general adjutants, the fusilier battalions, etc.

Apparently the depictions follow the work "Kostüme der ganzen preußischen Armee", published in 1806 by J. B. Schiavonetti in Berlin, consisting of four booklets with six plates each, drawn by W. Henschel and engraved by F. A. Henschel (see below).

Whether the series shown here is unique is also not certain, since the author also owns unfinished sketches and proof prints of figures in black and white that may have been intended for later coloring. Therefore multiple copies are likely.