7" H x 4.75" Wx 1.5" D
A beautifully made late Victorian edition of The Essays of Elia and Eliana by Charles Lamb, published in London by George Bell & Sons in 1889. Writing as “Elia,” Lamb blends witty observation with warm nostalgia for old London, childhood memories, books, theater, and everyday life, making these essays timeless, funny, and unexpectedly tender.
This copy is especially collectible for its King Edward’s School, Birmingham prize binding, featuring a bold gilt school crest on the red cloth boards and vibrant marbled endpapers. The original award plate is present, made out to Nellie Jane Kendall and dated December 1890, adding real period provenance. A standout piece for lovers of classic English literature, decorative bindings, and school prize history.
Language: English
Title: The Essays of Elia and Eliana
Author: Charles Lamb
Publisher: George Bell & Sons
Place of Publication: London
Publication Date: 1889
Binding: Prize binding with leather spine and corners, red cloth boards, gilt school crest
Features: Gilt spine titling, decorative gilt crest to front board, marbled endpapers
Illustrations/Plates: Portrait frontispiece of Charles Lamb
Provenance: King Edward’s School, Birmingham prize plate awarded to Nellie Jane Kendall, dated Dec. 1890
Condition: The binding is solid and attractive, with noticeable rubbing, scuffing, and age toning to the leather spine and corners, including edge wear and softened corners from handling. The red cloth boards remain vivid with the gilt crest still bright and eye catching, and the marbled endpapers are especially colorful. Internally, the pages are clean and readable with scattered foxing and light age spotting, most noticeable on the preliminary leaves, along with some mild offsetting from the frontispiece. The King Edward’s School Birmingham prize plate is present and legible, adding strong character and provenance.
