Books with beautiful bindings 1883 - 1913

Tim Trumble's Little Mother by Clara L Mateaux with nineteen full-page engravings from illustrations by Giacomelli. Original gilt-blocked and black-stamped pictorial red cloth with gilt lettering and decoration. This beautiful book was presented to Ethel Cook, Class 5 Clewer St. Stephen intermediate school for class marks (1st prize) Christmas 1907.  

When I read an inscription like this, I always want to know more, OK, so I’m nosy! A little time spent on Google rewarded me with the following;

The Parish of Clewer St. Stephen was formed out of the ancient parish of Clewer in 1872. The building of the present church began in November 1870, when the first stone of the Chancel was laid.  St. Stephen’s school was situated at the north of the Church. The infant school was opened in 1872, a boy’s school in 1873 a girl's school in 1877. In 1899, an intermediate school was started for the daughters of the smaller trade's people who could pay more than two pence per week.

I hoped to be able to dig a little deeper, but a search of both the 1901 and 1911 census proved fruitless. I'm not even sure if St. Stephen’s school still exists and without knowing the name of  Ethel’s father I don’t have much to go on. But I would love to know what became of Ethel. Did she get married? Have children? If any of Ethel’s descendants read this do please get in touch.

Seven Maids by L. T. Meade with ten full page black and white plates by Percy Tarrant. Decorative green cloth/gilt. All edges gilt. Undated but prize plate July 1907. Given for regularity, progress and good conduct the recipient's name (sadly) unreadable.

Our own magazine 1897 a monthly paper for young people and children. Inspirational and sentimental stories with black and white illustrations. Bound volume of 12 monthly issues - January - December 1897.

Called of her country the story of Joan of Arc nicknamed by Evelyn Everett Green with illustrations by E F Sherie. Published in 1900 by S. H. Bousfield & Co.  Joan of Arc nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" a folk heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in what is now eastern France, who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years’ War, which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII of France.

Our Anniversaries by Alice Lane. Published by the Religious tract society in 1887. Gift inscription to Theresa Robins with Mrs Savills kind love and best wishes June 20th, 1887. A selection of texts and verses for every day of the year, illustrations throughout with ruled areas for notes opposite each illustration. Several pencil/pen notations including – Bessie passed on January 13th, mother's birthday January 24th, dear Aggie passed October 28th, King Edward VII died 1910 and so on.

Travels in Hot and Cold Lands - Published in 1877.  Grace Ashleigh by Mary Boyd with engravings by Robert Barnes. Published by S. W. Partridge in 1897. Pretty decorative cloth, 8 engravings. The ballad of Beau Brocade and other poems of the XVIII century by Austin Dobson with fifty illustrations by Hugh Thomson. Published by Kegan Paul and printed at the Chiswick Press, Chancery Lane, London.   Undated c1892. Green cloth elaborately decorated and lettered in gilt on the spine and upper cover. Includes: The Ballad of Beau Brocade; A Gentleman of the Old School; A Dead Letter; A Gentlewoman of the Old School; The Old Sedan Chair; The Ladies of St. James's; Molly Trefusus; A Chapter of Froissart.

The seven champions of Christendom edited by F. J. Harvey Darton and published by Wells Gardner Darton undated assumed 1st edition 1913. Tissue guarded frontis and twenty black and white plates. Attractive blue cloth with gilt lettering, front cover design in red, blue, gilt and green showing St. George and the dragon, decorative spine. Chapters about St. George of England, St. James of Spain, St. Andrew of Scotland, St. David of Wales, St. Dennis of France, St. Anthony of Italy, and St. Patrick of Ireland. 

The gateway to Tennyson undated but gift inscription to dearest Christopher from his affectionate grandfather & grandmother George & Frances Anne Bridgwood Christmas, 1910. Original gold blocked red cloth, top edge gilt. Illustrated endpapers, 16 colour plates by Norman Little plus black-and-white  line drawings. Tales and extracts from the poets work with an introduction by Mrs. Andrew Lang. 

Little wide awake published by George Routledge and sons, 1893. Edited by Mrs. and Miss Sale Barker. A Collection of children's stories, poems and puzzles. Black and white engravings and chromolithograph frontis.

Peter Parley's Annual for 1883 published by Cassell Petter & Galpin in 1883. Frontispiece and eight other colour plates. A collection of stories about dogs including His Majesty’s dog, the dog of the regiment and the engine-driver’s dog.

Last but certainly not least Tales from Shakespeare (next to Little wide awake above). Published by George Routledge and Sons in 1891. Brown cloth with embossed lettering and decoration in green and gilt. A collection of  Shakespeare's works including Romeo and Juliet and King Lear ‘designed for the use of the young reader’

I hope you've enjoyed a quick look at these beautifully bound books.  The gloves and hankie in the pictures belonged to my mum. I think she wore the gloves to my sister's wedding along with a pillbox hat, court shoes and a very pretty silk pleated dress. I'm not sure of the date (Sister Sue if you read this, please leave a comment), but I would guess about 1958?  The black-and-white illustration is by S. B. Pearse. A friend gave it to me after finding a collection in an antique shop.

These are some of my ‘favourite things’ – do you have favourite things? If so what are they?