Founded in 1650, the Coldstream Guards is the oldest Guards regiment in the British Army and serves an important role in protecting the monarch. This history of the regiment was written by Colonel Daniel MacKinnon, who had distinguished himself at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. During the battle, MacKinnon had three horses shot from under him and despite being severely wounded, led the manoeuvres of the Coldstream and Grenadier guards that led to the vital occupation of Hougoumont, defending it against countless French onslaughts. In 1826, he became the commander of the Coldstream Guards and began writing this history.

MacKinnon dedicated his history to William IV and this book is likely the copy presented to the king on its publication in 1833. It was one of the books selected by the Royal Librarian Richard Rivington Holmes in 1893 as a fine example of bookbinding in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.

Binding information

Full leather bound in red wrinkled calf, with gilt arms and initials of William IV (1765-1837), to whom the book is dedicated by the author, on the covers and vellum doublures. Two presentation volumes, where central coat of arms on covers is within five fillet line gilt border frame with volute detailing to each corner. All edges gilt and richly gauffered, with volute and foliate detail. Flat spine with volute tooling to top and bottom with two fillet line frame within which lettering ORIGIN AND SERVICES OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS VOL. I [or II] LONDON MDCCCXXXIII. Doublures with rich border design of gilt flowers and fan-shapes, with dotted and fillet lines to each side.