SUPERBLY BOUND AND EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF ENGLAND FROM THE 7TH TO THE 19TH CENTURIES

GREEN, John Richard. A Short History of the English People. London: Macmillan, 1892-94 (1896). Four volumes extended to twelve. Royal octavo, early full red crushed morocco gilt, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines and dentelles, top edges gilt. $9000.

1890s edition, magnificently extra-illustrated throughout with over 1000 additional engraved, lithographic, and photogravure plates, many of which are folding and hundreds of which are colored, and numerous in-text illustrations, in lovely full morocco-gilt bindings by Morrell.

This is Green's best-known work, "remarkable for its broad approach, simple style, generosity of outlook, and attention to the social, economic, and intellectual aspects of national history" (Drabble & Stringer, 237). "What Macaulay had done for a period of English history, Green did for it as a whole. From a mass of scattered details he constructed a series of pictures which were full of life. Subjects which before had been treated independently-constitutional history, social history, literary history, economic history, and the like-were all brought together by his method, and were made to contribute their share in filling up the record of the progress of the nation… above all, [the work] never halted, but carried on the reader with unabated enthusiasm. Green was in fact not only a scholar, but an artist; he had a passion for fine form, and he never rested till he found it" (DNB). The plates include portraits of important historical figures, maps, facsimiles of early documents and signatures, reproductions of color illuminations, and illustrations of castles, estates, churches, landscapes, and historical scenes, including many engravings after paintings and works by noted artists. First published in 1874; this posthumous edition was edited by Mrs. Green and Kate Norgate. With an index of the extra illustrations bound into the first volume. Bookplates.

Scattered foxing to plates and text, expert reinforcement to joints and inner hinges of two volumes. An exceptional production in nearly fine condition.