Days Near Rome, Augustus J.C. Hare, in Two Volumes, 1884

Days Near Rome, by Augustus J.C. Hare, in Two Volumes (complete).

Augustus John Cuthbert Hare (1834-1903) was a celebrated Victorian travel writer whose detailed guides to Italy and beyond combined practical touring advice with history, art appreciation, and anecdote. Days Near Rome was conceived as a companion to his Walks in Rome, offering explorations of the countryside, villas, monasteries, and archaeological sites surrounding the city. The early George Allen editions have become increasingly scarce, as later reissues replaced them during the 1890s.

Published by George Allen, London and Orpington, 1884. Undated to title, but 1884 to Preface. Third edition (now scarce as an early edition).

A good set of 2 blue cloth hardbacks in original Publisher's binding. With gilt titles to spine and gilt Roman images to front covers, with blind embossed red printed rules. Covers with bumping and wear. Some marks to covers and head and tail of spine are frayed and worn. One indent to spine of Vol II, breaking the cloth. Inner hinges are intact and all text is bound soundly.

Text is good throughout - bright and clean throughout with light wear, with attractive line illustrations in text. Advertisements with some age spotting and some light spotting to text block edges. Previous owner's name to title page. A good early example of this classic Victorian travel guide.

Text in English.

Vol I: xix + 338pp + (4) Publisher's advertisements; 

Vol II: vii + 368pp + (2) Publisher's advertisements. 

Weight approximately 1264g (the set - unpacked).