Oliver Cromwell: The Man and His Mission. First Edition, 1882. Original Cloth. Steel Portrait.

A desirable Victorian first edition of J. Allanson Picton's biography of Oliver Cromwell, published in London by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. in 1882. Picton (1832–1910), historian, politician and Member of Parliament, presents Cromwell as one of England's defining national figures, drawing upon contemporary scholarship while offering his own interpretation of the Lord Protector's life and legacy. The work was sufficiently successful to warrant a second edition the following year. This first edition is complete with its original steel-engraved portrait frontispiece and retains its original publisher's dark brown cloth binding with gilt lettering to the upper board and spine. The volume is dedicated to Sir James Allanson Picton and comprises xi, 516 pages. An interesting period feature is the contemporary newspaper article neatly pasted to the front pastedown discussing the famous "Cromwell's Head" relic, adding historical interest and provenance to the volume. The front free endpaper also bears a neat ownership inscription dated 3 August 1922. A solid example of an increasingly uncommon Victorian Cromwell biography, ideal for collectors of English Civil War history, Puritanism, seventeenth-century Britain and Victorian historical literature. Condition: Original publisher's brown cloth binding with gilt lettering. Moderate rubbing and general shelf wear to the boards. Head and tail of the spine worn with small losses to the cloth. Light bumping and rubbing to the corners and board edges. Small splits beginning at the joints, though the binding remains sound. Internally generally clean throughout with light age toning. Steel-engraved portrait frontispiece present. Contemporary ownership inscription dated 3 August 1922 to the front free endpaper. Period newspaper clipping concerning "Cromwell's Head" neatly pasted to the front pastedown. The text block remains firm with no obvious loose or missing pages. Overall a Good copy of this scarce first edition. Shipping Notice:
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