1896 "Prose Masterpieces from Modern Essayists" Brown Full Leather Book

Published in London in 1896 by Hickers & Son, Prose Masterpieces from Modern Essayists gathers unabridged essays by a wide range of major 19th-century writers, including Charles Lamb, Thomas De Quincey, Charles Dickens, Matthew Arnold, Thomas Carlyle, Macaulay, Froude, Freeman, Gladstone, and others. It was designed as a literary anthology that introduced readers to important essayists of the period while also showcasing strong prose style, thoughtful argument, and cultural commentary.

This copy is especially appealing for its polished tree calf binding with gilt tooling and its gilt prize crest for The University of Cambridge Local Examinations, showing that it was likely presented as an academic award. It also includes photographic author portraits, adding another layer of interest for collectors of Victorian literary books and prize bindings. A handsome late 19th-century volume with both decorative and literary appeal.

[d]Title | Prose Masterpieces from Modern Essayists [d]Author | Various [d]Publisher | Hickers & Son [d]Date | 1896 [d]Binding | Full polished tree calf with gilt tooling and raised bands [d]Features | Cambridge Local Examinations prize crest, gilt spine decoration [d]Illustrations | Photographic author portraits [d]Provenance | University of Cambridge Local Examinations prize binding [d]Origin | London, England [d]Language | English

[condition] The boards show some scuffing and light wear along the edges and spine ends, consistent with age and handling. The gilt crest and tooling remain bright, with minor rubbing on the raised bands. The hinges are sound and the binding is structurally solid. Internally, the pages show moderate foxing mainly confined to the preliminaries and portrait plates, with the text largely clean and legible throughout. The photographic portraits are intact and well-preserved. A good copy of a handsome Cambridge prize volume.