in one form or another, Steampunk has been going since the days of Jules Verne. Now the Dark Osprey team have tackled the subject and are preparing to publish 'Steampunk Soldiers' - a fantastic collection of illustrations of, and notes on, various fighting men and machines and their steam powered weaponry from around the world.

From the deepest darkest depths of the Dark Osprey vaults, we managed to prise a description of the forthcoming book.

Between 1887 and 1895, the British art student Miles Vandercroft travelled around the world, sketching and painting the soldiers of the countries through which he passed. In this age of dramatic technological advancement, Vandercroft was fascinated by how the rise of steam technology at the start of the American Civil War had transformed warfare and the role of the fighting man. This volume collects all of Vandercroft’s surviving paintings, along with his associated commentary on the specific military units he encountered. It is a unique pictorial guide to the last great era of bright and colourful uniforms, as well as an important historical study of the variety of steam-powered weaponry and equipment that abounded in the days before the Great War of the Worlds.

It's sounding pretty exciting, and having viewed the illustrations I can confirm that they are incredible! Without further ado, feast your eyes on this exclusive artwork reveal:

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 Keep an eye out for more tantalising tidbits in the coming months!