Written In English
This 1857 edition of Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates and Universal Reference is a remarkable Victorian reference work compiled by Joseph Haydn and later revised by B. Vincent, Assistant Secretary and Keeper of the Library of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Intended as a compact yet comprehensive chronicle of global events, inventions, political milestones, and historical facts, the book was written to offer a singular resource for scholars, professionals, and general readers alike. Its structure presents history through the lens of dates, aiming to condense the vastness of human knowledge into an accessible format. In the preface, the author expresses his goal to create something as indispensable as a London directory—serving practical and intellectual purposes for its users. Reflecting the Victorian era’s desire to organize and catalog information, this edition sits firmly within the intellectual climate of 19th-century Britain, where rapid advances in science, governance, and education drove demand for factual, reliable references.
The book itself is finely bound in full polished calf leather, with a richly tooled spine decorated in gilt and accented by a red morocco title label. Five raised bands and intricate floral tooling speak to its craftsmanship, while the marbled page edges and sewn endpapers suggest it was produced for a refined readership or institutional use.
Condition:
The condition is very good to near fine, with only minor scuffing to the boards and slight darkening at the crown of the spine. The gilt remains sharp and attractive, and the interior is clean and well-preserved, with only minimal foxing. This edition is not only a useful piece of 19th-century scholarship but also a beautiful example of period bookbinding, making it a valuable addition to any collection of antique books or Victorian ephemera.
