The Parish Magazine. Volume XIII (1871). Edited by the Rev. J. Erskine Clarke. Contemporary Annual bound as "Amersham Parish Magazine"

A bound annual volume of The Parish Magazine, the pioneering Church of England periodical established in 1859 by the Rev. J. Erskine Clarke. Its innovative format combined a nationally printed illustrated magazine of sermons, fiction, poetry, hymns and practical instruction with separately produced pages of local parish news.

The present volume comprises Volume XIII for 1871 and includes a serialised appearance of Elizabeth Gaskell’s early Manchester story Libbie Marsh’s Three Eras, together with engraved plates, devotional writing, natural history and agricultural articles. Although the spine is gilt titled “Amersham Parish Magazine 1871”, the only surviving local pages occur in the final two monthly sections and relate to Great Milton and Little Milton; one calendar appears to date from 1877 and was evidently bound or inserted with the earlier annual.

Published as the thirteenth annual volume of The Parish Magazine, edited by the Rev. J. Erskine Clarke, 1871. First published in monthly parts, each comprising a nationally distributed 24-page illustrated section designed to be combined with separately printed pages supplied by the subscribing parish. Bound as an annual volume and gilt titled to the spine “Amersham Parish Magazine 1871”. The original monthly wrappers and any Amersham-specific pages appear not to have been retained. The last two sections contain additional unnumbered local material for Great Milton and Little Milton, including an October calendar which appears to date from 1877.

Published for the Parish Magazine Office by W. Wells Gardner, London, 1871. (imprint inferred, the original title page not present).

A good (minus) hardback with black leather spine and corners, with marbled paper over boards. Spine with raised bands and gilt morocco title label. Covers are worn, scuffed and bumped. 1cm loss of leather at tail of spine and front joint cracked, but all holding. Illustrated.

Text is bright, with some age-related wear and occasional scattered spot or finger mark. With a few ink spot stains. Ink inscription to first pastedown and some amateur pencil sketches to rear endpapers.

Text in English.

10 sections of 1-24pp, followed by 1 section of 1-24pp + (2), then the final section of 1-24pp + (4).

Weight approximately 402g (unpacked).

Dimensions approximately 215mm high x 450mm x 16mm.