This is a hardcover book, crimson in color, with extensive illustrations on the front cover. The title is written on a waving gold banner located in the top half of the front cover; the banner appears to be apart of a collage of military paraphernalia drawn in contrasting black ink, including a drum, saber, musket, and flag pole, which begins at a lower point on the cover. These items appear to have been pushed through an illustrated gaping hole of sunlight in the bottom right quadrant of the front cover. On the spine of the book is the title engraved in gold leaf in horizontally oriented text which reads [THE/HISTORY/OF THE/BLACK/PHALANX]. Below the title is a gold leaf shield filled with black text which reads [AMERICAN/PUBLISHING/COMPANY,/HARTFORD/CONN.].