Author Given First Edition (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First Edition. Printed by Thomas Davison, Whitefriars. ***The complete set of two volumes - Volume I: 1818 and Volume II: 1819 - both first impressions of the first edition. ***Illustrated with one hundred black and white copper engravings to the two volumes including the engraved half-title pages, all present as called for, and also importantly, including to the front of vol. I the two folding engraved maps: County of Essex and Colchester (the map of Colchester to the front of Vol I interestingly is not listed in "Directions to the Binder for Placing the Plates" to the fore of Vol. I.). ***Volume I.: Title-page has "Decriptions" instead of "Descriptions", as called for in the first impression of the first edition. Engraved half-title page with the Arms of Colchester. ***Very good in crimson full leather morocco boards with elaborate gilt decorative spine with five compartments and four raised bands and gilt decorative and floral borders to front and rear boards. All edges of text-block gilt. Dark grey front and rear free endpapers and pastedowns. [Owner's name R.S. Chalmers in sepia fountain pen ink to top of front free endpapers of vol I & II and a list in light pencil on recto of front free endpapers of places within the county that are going to be, or have been, visited. On top of this list to Vol I is a pencil price of 8/6 and 8 / - two volumes]. ***Edges of boards slightly rubbed. Spine slightly rubbed. Corners rubbed. Head and tail of spine rubbed. Spine tight. Pages clean.***164mm x 106mm. iv-page prelims including two-page preface by the editor dated May 1, 1819, London, and Directions to the Binder for Placing the Plates (some places marked with short tiny light pencil-mark to indicated places to visit or visited) and list of Errata. 224 pages including index to rear. ***Vol II: Frontispiece of Gosfield Place and engraved half-title page with the Arms of Essex and Maldon. Directions to the Binder for Placing the Plates to Vol II to the fore and list of Errata. ***Very good in crimson full leather morocco boards with elaborate gilt decorative spine with five compartments and four raised bands and gilt decorative and floral borders to front and rear boards. Gilt tooling to morocco edges of front and rear paste-downs. All edges of text-block gilt. Dark grey front and rear free endpapers and pastedowns. Edges of boards slightly rubbed. Spine slightly rubbed. Corners rubbed. Head and tail of spine rubbed. Spine tight. Pages clean. 164mm x 106mm. Three-page prelims and 197 pages including index to rear. ***'The situation of Colchester commands prospects both distant and agreeable. It is so near the sea as to have the advantage of excellent fish, particularly soles and oysters. Though it stands high, it is well supplied with water from many fine springs rising in several places, besides which is conveyed to it by the waterworks. ***The lines of contravallation and vestiges of the forts of the besiegers remain visible round the town in many places. The river Colne, which passes through Colchester, encompasses it on the north and east, and served as a special means of defence in time of war. There are three bridges over it, and it is navigable within three miles of the town for ships of large burthen: up to that part called the Hythe: it is navigable for hoys and small craft close to the houses.' (quotes from page 90, vol I). ***Scarce first impression of the true first edition of the complete two-volume set, especially hard to find in their original leather bindings in nice collectable condition, with all plates and the two folding maps present. Of interest to collectors of antiquarian travel books and scholars and historians researching the history of Essex. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.***.