The heraldic flag and flag bearer of Augsburg, from the Heraldic Flags of the German Nations of the Holy Roman Empire, Frankfurt 1545. (Wapen des Heyligen Römishcen Reichs Teutscher Nation)
It’s been interesting to work with these images, and realize that there is such a HUGE variety in ledergollar shapes and styles, and how deep the armholes really are on these, as well as how square some of them are! This is probably the best manuscript I know of that shows so many underarm pictures, which may not seem very important, until you try to go and draft a pattern for something, and are left scratching your head as to how deep and what shape to make the armscye. There is also a wide variety of shirt necklines, wams styles, not to mention different slashing designs on everything. I really like it because it’s the same clothes in the black and white woodcuts, but before they go on campaign and get trashed!
It’s been fun looking through these and getting them ready for publication, haven’t found my favorite one just yet, but this one is a serious contender for the cover. No guestimate on date for pre-orders. With the way things are going this year, I’m going play it safe and wait until the book is printed in a proof and then take orders.
Wow. Can’t wait for this beauty to be ready to order! I’m a historic battles illustrator so will be keen to use this for a large Battle of Pavia picture that I’m putting together over the next 18 months.