About this Item
? Rare 1900 Testimonial Edition ? Volume II
The Library of Historic Characters & Famous Events of All Nations and All Ages
Published by J. B. Millet, Boston ? 1900
This listing is for an original 1900 Testimonial Edition, Volume II of The Library of Historic Characters and Famous Events?a prestigious, limited, turn-of-the-century historical work produced for private subscription and serious libraries.
Printed at the dawn of the 20th century, this volume captures over 2,000 years of world history, blending scholarship, narrative history, and fine photogravure illustration in a format rarely matched today.
?? ABOUT THIS VOLUME
Volume II explores pivotal figures and events spanning Ancient Rome through the Industrial Age, including:
Marcus Aurelius ? The Imperial Philosopher
Michael Angelo & Vittoria Colonna ? Renaissance genius and muse
Mary, Queen of Scots ? Court intrigue and execution
Louis XIV ? The Sun King and absolutist monarchy
The Bayeux Tapestry ? Norman conquest of England
Miles Standish & Roger Williams ? Early American settlement
Robert Fulton & George Stephenson ? Steam power & locomotion
Peter Stuyvesant ? Early New York history
? A remarkable cross-section of political power, philosophy, religion, warfare, exploration, and technological progress.
ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAVURE PLATES
This volume includes high-quality photogravure plates reproduced from original works by noted artists, including:
Napoleon, 1814 ? Meissonier (Frontispiece)
Napoleon at Waterloo ? Steuben
Michael Angelo and Vittoria Colonna
Mary Stuart and David Rizzio
Louis XIV and Mlle. de La Vallière
These plates were a premium feature of the Testimonial Edition and were intended to rival fine art books of the era.
Authentic historical portraits
Original photographs (notably rare for books of this era)
These plates were an expensive, high-end printing method, reserved for premium editions.
Highlights:
Authentic 1900 publication
Limited Testimonial Edition to just 1,000 copies
Illustrated photogravure plates after great artists and authentic portraits
Gilt spine titling
Several uncut pages
Thick, deckle-edged pages
Heavy, thick paper stock with age-toned edges
True circa-1900 historical volume, not a later reprint
Original cloth binding (highly preferred by collectors)
Rich historical content spanning early modern Europe, the Enlightenment, and early American history
Illustrations enhance display and research value
Ideal for antique book collectors, historians, or decorative library display
Scholarly editorial oversight
Broad, classical historical scope
Ideal for collectors of antique history books, decorative libraries, or academic reference
This volume is hand-numbered ?507? in red copy pencil on the limitation page, consistent with early 20th-century publisher or bookseller practice.
Condition
Binding: Original blue cloth boards remain intact and solid. The cloth shows visible wear, rubbing, and fading, particularly at the spine and edges. Spine title area shows heavy wear with loss to the original labeling, but the book remains firmly bound.
Spine & Hinges: Inner hinges are exposed and weakened, with visible cloth mesh and separation at the front and rear, as shown in photos. Despite this, the text block remains secure and complete, and pages are still attached.
Pages: All pages appear present and intact. Paper shows age toning and foxing, consistent with a true antique. No evidence of modern replacement pages.
Illustrations: Contains photogravure plates/illustrations/illustrations, including a striking full-page historical scene (see photos). Illustrations remain clear and visually strong, adding significant collector appeal.
Overall, a genuine, close to untouched antique showing its age with dignity ? not restored, not modernized ? and retaining strong appeal for collectors of early historical reference works.
Seller Inventory # ABE-1769627917168
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