1901 "The Early History of Charles James Fox" Full Blue Leather Prize Binding Book

7.5" H x 5" W

This copy of The Early History of Charles James Fox by Sir George Otto Trevelyan was published in 1901 by Longmans, Green, and Co. at 39 Paternoster Row, London, in what is labeled a “New Impression.” The book focuses on the formative years of Charles James Fox (1749–1806), an influential British Whig statesman known for his eloquence in Parliament, his advocacy of individual liberties, and his opposition to royal power. Trevelyan, a historian and statesman himself, sought to examine Fox’s political beginnings, family background, and early parliamentary career, highlighting how Fox’s ideas and personality were shaped by the tumultuous political climate of late 18th-century Britain. The work is both a scholarly biography and a broader commentary on the political, social, and intellectual environment that influenced Fox’s development into one of the most prominent liberal voices of his era.

Trevelyan wrote this biography at a time when Victorian and Edwardian readers were keenly interested in figures who had played pivotal roles in the formation of modern British parliamentary democracy. Fox’s career intersected with key events such as the American War of Independence, ongoing debates about royal prerogative, and the nascent calls for political reform. By tracing Fox’s upbringing and early rise, Trevelyan provided context for his later stances on issues like the expansion of civil rights and the push against slavery. This focus on a statesman’s formative years reflects a wider historical trend in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when biographies often emphasized personal character and moral development as keys to understanding public leadership.

The binding is a fine example of a full or near-full leather presentation, with the front board displaying a gilt-stamped crest—likely from a school or institution that awarded the book as a prize. Gilt tooling along the board edges and around the spine compartments adds an ornate touch, and the raised (or faux-raised) bands divide the spine into panels decorated with floral or geometric motifs in gold. A gilt title, “Early History of C. J. Fox” and the author’s surname, “Trevelyan,” appear on the spine. This style of binding, often referred to as a “prize binding,” was popular in prestigious British schools and colleges, lending a sense of ceremony and durability to volumes intended as academic awards.

In essence, The Early History of Charles James Fox offers a portrait of one of Britain’s most celebrated parliamentary figures, tracing the roots of his political philosophy and legislative activism. Trevelyan’s detailed account illuminates the broader political currents of the 18th century, providing readers with both a personal biography and an exploration of the era’s ideological battles.

Condition:

The leather boards exhibit minor scuffing and rubbing along the spine ends and corners, consistent with careful use over time. The gilt crest and tooling remain vibrant, although slight fading may be noticeable in areas that experienced more handling. Internally, the pages are generally clean, with only occasional light foxing—primarily near the preliminaries and any illustration plates. The hinges appear firm, suggesting that the binding remains structurally sound. Overall, the volume is in commendable shape for a prize or presentation copy dating from the early 20th century.