Written In English
This 1912 edition of Hereward the Wake: Last of the English by Charles Kingsley is a standout collectible for lovers of historical fiction and decorative bindings. Published by Henry Frowde for Oxford University Press, the book is richly illustrated with fifteen black-and-white engravings that bring this legendary tale of Anglo-Saxon resistance to life. Kingsley's gripping narrative follows the life of Hereward, an exiled English nobleman who returns to lead the last stand against the Norman conquest, becoming a symbol of courage and national pride. The story is romantic, patriotic, and full of dramatic scenes that reflect the Victorian fascination with heroism and identity. The binding is a true work of art, crafted in full tree calf leather that has been treated to mimic the appearance of a tree with natural grain and swirling patterns. The spine features intricate gilt tooling with raised bands and twin title labels, while the board edges are finished with fine gilt borders. Inside, the marbled endpapers and matching marbled edges create a luxurious and cohesive design. This volume is a showpiece that will appeal to collectors of fine press books, English history, and literary works that carry both visual beauty and historical weight.
Condition:
This antique volume is in excellent condition for its age. The full tree calf leather binding is sturdy and visually striking, with deep, rich patterning and bright gilt details on the spine and board edges. The spine remains tight and square, with no separation or loss to the leather. The marbled endpapers are vibrant and unmarred, and the text block edges retain their original hand-marbled finish. The interior pages are clean with only a few light spots of foxing to the prelims, typical of age, and all fifteen illustrations are present and well-preserved. There are no loose or missing pages, and the book opens smoothly without stress to the hinges. A truly beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship, this copy would be a prized addition to any collector's library.
