1883 Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
1883 Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
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Gilbert White’s Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne remains one of the best-known works of English natural history, prized for its close observation of the countryside, wildlife, and daily rhythms of a single Hampshire village. This 1883 Macmillan “New and Cheaper Edition” brings together White’s classic text with notes by Frank Buckland, a chapter on antiquities by Lord Selborne, new letters, and illustrations by P. H. Delamotte.
This copy stands out for its handsome full leather prize binding from United Services College, Westward Ho!, with elaborate gilt decoration, marbled endpapers, and marbled page edges. The school crest is stamped in gilt on the upper cover, giving the book a strong Victorian presentation look. It also carries a handwritten prize inscription and later ex-libris label. The inscription is only partly legible, and I am not fully certain of the exact wording, but it appears to name E. C. Pike and may be dated July 1885, possibly awarded for German.
The full leather binding remains attractive overall despite honest age-related wear throughout. There is rubbing and edge wear to the boards and extremities consistent with the book's age, and mild tearing with some loss at the head of the spine, visible in the photographs. Corners show wear appropriate to a volume of this period. The interior is clean overall, with light scattered foxing and toning consistent with age, neither severe nor distracting. The marbled endpapers and marbled page edges remain present and visually strong. A solid example of a Victorian prize binding, worn and genuine rather than pristine.
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