A Dictionary of Roman and Greek Antiquities, with Nearly 2000 Engravings in Wood, by Anthony Rich, Longmans. Green, & Co., 1884. Presentation copy signed by G G Ramsay

This handsome Glasgow University prize volume was awarded for Latin in 1889 and personally signed on the presentation label by George Gilbert Ramsay (1835-1921), the distinguished classical scholar and Professor of Humanity at the University of Glasgow. Ramsay occupied the Chair of Humanity from 1863 until 1906 and was one of the University's leading classical scholars; he was also a keen mountaineer and became the first President of the Scottish Mountaineering Club. The presentation label is completed in manuscript for Carolus Gul. Thomson [Charles William Thomson] and personally signed "G.G. Ramsay L.H.P." by Ramsay. Bound in an attractive contemporary full calf prize binding by Maclehose of Glasgow.

Anthony Rich's Dictionary of Roman and Greek Antiquities was conceived as a practical illustrated guide to the material world of classical antiquity. Rather than concentrating primarily upon mythology or biography, Rich explains the objects, buildings, clothing, weapons, domestic utensils, furniture, religious practices and other features of everyday Greek and Roman life encountered in classical literature. Particularly notable is the extensive series of nearly 2,000 wood engravings, many derived from surviving ancient sculpture, paintings, mosaics, coins and archaeological remains, allowing the reader to connect classical terminology with the physical objects it described. First published in 1849, the work became a popular Victorian reference for students of the ancient world; this 1884 fifth edition was extensively revised and improved.

One of a remarkable group of Glasgow University prize volumes awarded between 1889 and 1895 to Charles William Thomson (1871-...), a notably distinguished student who won fifteen University prizes and graduated M.A. Thomson subsequently pursued a prominent career in Scottish education, serving as Rector of several schools including Larkhall Academy, and was also an author and advocate of Scottish national interests. A founding member and later President of the Scottish Patriotic Association, he is best remembered for his substantial two-volume historical work Scotland's Work and Worth (1909-10). His identity and academic record have been confirmed from the matriculation, prize and General Council records held by the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections.

A Dictionary of Roman and Greek Antiquities, with Nearly 2000 Engravings in Wood, from Ancient Originals. Illustrative of the Industrial Arts and Social Life of the Greeks and Romans, by Anthony Rich, B.A., sometime of Caius College, Cambridge.

Published by Longmans, Green, & Co., 1884. Fifth edition - Revised and Improved.

A good (plus) full calf leather hardback with gilt Glasgow University roundel to front and top compartment of spine. With gilt and blind stamped borders to covers and elaborate gilt tooling to spine. Raised bands and black morocco label. The title label is worn with losses. Some shelf wear to leather and wear to spine. All soundly bound.

With marbled endpapers and matching marbled text block edges. A University prize presentation label to the front pastedown records the award to Carolus Gul. Thomson for Latina, 1889, and is personally signed "G G Ramsay" by George Gilbert Ramsay.

The endpapers have substantial foxing/spotting, extending more lightly over the first and last few leaves. The text is otherwise bright and clear throughout, with just a few light spots to the marbled edges. The copious wood-engraved illustrations are clear and very well presented.

An attractive volume.

Text in English.

iv + 756pp.

Dimensions: approximately 211mm high x 150mm wide x 39mm deep.

Weight: Approximately 1100g (unpacked).