Lord Macaulay - History of England & Critical and Historical Essays - 8 uniform Volumes - University College Oxford Prize Bindings - 1881 & 1891
A handsome and substantial uniformly bound eight-volume collection of the principal historical and critical writings of Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859), comprising the complete five-volume History of England from the Accession of James the Second (1881), together with the three-volume Critical and Historical Essays Contributed to the Edinburgh Review (1891). Macaulay was one of the most influential and widely read historians and essayists of the Victorian period, celebrated for the vigour of his narrative style and his interpretation of British political and constitutional history. His History of England traces the momentous political and religious struggles surrounding the reign of James II and the Glorious Revolution, while the Critical and Historical Essays collect his celebrated writings on historical, literary and political subjects originally contributed to the Edinburgh Review. Together the two works provide a particularly attractive representation of Macaulay's historical and critical writing.
The set has an interesting Oxford and Scottish provenance. All eight volumes are uniformly bound in full calf with the gilt armorial device of University College, Oxford to the front covers, and each bears the manuscript ownership inscription "James Lade, 1892". Lade was a distinguished Scottish student who studied at Glasgow University and subsequently at Oxford, taking his B.A., becoming a Brixton Scholar and being called to the Bar. Contemporary records describe him specifically as a student of both Glasgow and Oxford. The date of his inscription is particularly notable: the latest volumes in the collection were published only the previous year, suggesting that the eight volumes were assembled and uniformly bound for Lade at around this time. Although the University College armorial bindings have the appearance of institutional or prize bindings, in the absence of a formal presentation label their precise circumstances of presentation cannot be established.
A second manuscript inscription, repeated in each volume and in Lade's hand, records his subsequent presentation of the complete set in May 1900 to [first name indistinct] V. Russell, inscribed "May 1900. from Jim." The repetition of both inscriptions throughout all eight volumes provides an unusually coherent provenance for the set, documenting Lade's ownership from 1892 and his subsequent presentation of the set eight years later.
The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, with Memoir and Portrait, and Critical and historical essays Contributed to the Edinburgh Review, New Edition. By Lord Macaulay (Thomas Babington Macaulay). 5 volumes + 3 Volumes in uniform bindings.
Published by Longman, Green & Co, London. The History of England in 1881, and Critical and Historical Essays in 1891.
A very good uniform set of Macaulay's works in eight volumes, bound in full calf, with the gilt armorial device of University College, Oxford to each front cover. Spines with raised bands, gilt-tooled compartments, and contrasting black and burgundy morocco gilt title labels. Some shelf wear and rubbing to the leather, particularly to spines, edges and joints, but an attractive set and all soundly bound.
Binding is sound. A few light spots to endpapers with text remaining bright and clear. Text block with gilt top edge.
Text in English.
Dimensions: each volume approx. 228mm high x 155mm wide x 27-47mm deep.
Weight approximately 8.25kg (the set - unpacked).