1895 English Literature Prize Binding Full Calf Leather Book

This late 19th-century edition, 1895, of The Story of English Literature by Anna Buckland offers a clear overview of English literary history, covering key authors like Chaucer, Shakespeare, and the Romantics. Designed for students and general readers, it traces major literary periods from medieval times to the Victorian era. The book features an elegant full leather binding with a gilt school crest and marbled endpapers, reflecting its use as a prize or presentation volume. It provides an engaging and easy-to-follow introduction to the development of English literature.

 

[d]Author | Anna Buckland [d]Title | The Story of English Literature [d]Publisher | Cassell and Company, Limited [d]Date | 1895 [d]Edition | Thirteenth Thousand [d]Binding | Full polished calf leather with gilt decoration and red morocco label [d]Features | Gilt-stamped school crest, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers [d]Provenance | Prize inscription to Brooklands High School, September 1896 [d]Dimensions | 7.5 in H x 5.25 in W x 1.75 in D [d]Origin | London, Paris, and Melbourne [d]Language | English

[condition] The full leather binding shows wear consistent with age, including rubbing to the edges and corners and visible splitting along the spine joints. The spine remains attached but shows weakness and surface cracking. The gilt decoration on the spine and front board remains clear and presents well despite the wear. Internally, the book is complete with heavy foxing throughout, particularly on the endpapers and early pages, with scattered spotting elsewhere. The prize inscription page is heavily foxed but fully legible. The text block is intact and usable. A decorative prize copy with honest age wear that is clearly noted here and reflected in the price.