1882 Visits to Remarkable Places | Victorian Prize Binding

Visits to Remarkable Places by William Howitt. Illustrations by Samuel Williams. Published by Longmans, Green, and Co., London, England. Published 1882. English Language.

Howitt traveled Great Britain to explore the physical settings of passages in English history and poetry. It contains historical sketches, architectural descriptions, and local lore about legendary sites like Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace), Flodden Field, Bolsover Castle, and Hampton Court Palace.

Full tree calf leather with fine gold-tooled borders on front and back covers, five raised bands at the spine with elaborate gold-tooled floral and vine motifs, contrasting green title label and gilded title on spine, all page edges marbled, endpapers vibrant blue marbled, gold dentelle borders around turn-ins and board edges, prize plate on interior front cover, and illustrations throughout. 

The printed bookplate inside the front cover offers a glimpse of the original owner. It reads: "Presented to Seth Long by R. Jarvis Esquire for special proficiency in Drawing." 

According to my research, Seth was a young student living in Middlesex, England, and the heraldic crest on the bookplate belonged to the Jarvis family and includes three split demi-griffins. Jarvis was likely a wealthy patron who endowed the drawing class or an aristocratic schoolmaster at the academy and custom-ordered the book. 

140 mm W x 198 mm H. 468 pages.

Condition: Some light marks to cover, with spots of discoloration; wear to the lower front hinge; fading to the marbled edges; some marks to the spine bands; and some foxing throughout. Very good condition.  

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