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Two albums in accordion format: 

• "Military Formations According to the Five Stars and the Crescent." 22x12", with 9 large double-page hand-painted illustrations. Bound in crimson silk-covered wooden boards with the manuscript title (gilt faded) on front cover. "Five Stars and the Crescent" [moon] may refer to a constellation or pattern of stars, according to which a military movement mimics. The hand-written brush-pen text for each illustration goes vertically to the top right side of each page, such as the following: 1. Drum is played on the general's stage and the bugle calls for the standing in line. Each captain of the five posts sees to the straightness of the line. Rules of the running array are followed. No one should talk and all listen to the order. The line leader leads the mandarin-duck formation and then changes to a straight line. Detailed translation of all the other pages available. Some wear to the silk and boards, as would be expected. Minor restorations. Over all in very good condition. 
• Second Album (without a title). 20x9½". Bound in star-patterned paper-covered stiff-boards. 5 double-pages, with hand-held woodblock printing (often over 60 per page), hand-colored highlights. The album depicts military formations and drills. Cavalry, and infantry divisions are seen in various offensive and defensive positions. The illustrations include soldiers carrying rifles, spears and banners The album contains Formations 6 to 9, according to the hand-written labels affixed to the bottom of each illustration. The album is complete in itself. Presumably Formations 1 to 5 would have been contained in another album. "Piling-up Array" is a form of assembling troops where lines upon lines of troops are "piled up." This formation is clearly depicted in the many illustrations. The hand-written text (on red paper labels on each page) reads as follows: The Sixth is Piling-up Array The sentinels of the two posts on the back left follow the end of the lines. The mounted soldiers charge. The Seventh is Piling-up Array The sentinels of the two posts on the back left follow the end of the mounted lines. The middle sentinel withdraws and then charges at the enemy. The mounted soldiers retreat. The Eighth is Piling-up Array (made of 2 drawings) The formation turns into 2 dragon lines. The Ninth Gather to the 5 posts. Kneel down for the order to fire. Minor restorations. Overall in very good condition. 

Two volumes.