By Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay]
London   Longmans, Green, and Co.
9" by 6" xiv, 645pp; xii, 589pp; xii, 657pp; x, 556pp; xii, 684pp; [4], 714pp; vi, 703pp; vii, 712pp
An attractive complete set of works of Lord Macaulay, including his highly referenced series 'The History of England', bound in signed full tree calf binding.
By Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay]

1879 The Works of Lord Macaulay Complete. Edited by His Sister Lady Trevelyan. In Eight Volumes

London   Longmans, Green, and Co.
9" by 6" xiv, 645pp; xii, 589pp; xii, 657pp; x, 556pp; xii, 684pp; [4], 714pp; vi, 703pp; vii, 712pp
An attractive complete set of works of Lord Macaulay, including his highly referenced series 'The History of England', bound in signed full tree calf binding.
Sold
: 10kgs / : 908Y38

What Our Customers Say...

Description

Leather Binding, Signed Binding

In signed Riviere full tree calf binding and gilt detailing. With marbled endpapers. 

A set of works of Lord Macaulay, a British historian who also served as the Secretary at War. Complete in eight volumes. 

Edited by his sister, Lady Trevelyan. 

From the library of W. A. Foyle, the co-founder of Foyles bookshop with his brother Gilbert Foyle. William Foyle was one of the leading London booksellers of the 20th century, with the name itself becoming synonymous with bookselling. 

During the Second World War, Foyle bought Beeleigh Abbey, a 12th century monastery on the River Chelmer at Maldon, Essex. It was there that Foyle formed one of the largest English private libraries of the 20th century. 

Beeleigh Abbey is stated on the bookplate under Foyle's name.

With a portrait frontispiece to Vol I. 

Vol I-IV contains Lord Macaulay's 'History of England' series, which covers the 17-year period from 1685-1702, including the reign of James II, the Glorious Revolution, the coregency of William III and Mary II and up to William III's death.

The historical series became well-known for its prose and emphasis on a progressive model of British history. However, Macaulay's approach has been criticised by later historians for its accused one-sidedness. 

This criticism derives from its genre of 'Whig' history, which tends to present history as a journey from an oppressive past to a "glorious present". 

Vol V-VIII:

Vol V - Contains critical and historical essays on topics such as 'Mill on Government' and 'Southey's Colloquies'.

Vol VI - Critical and historical essays continued, with pieces on German Historian Von Ranke, English philosopher Francis Bacon and former King of Prussia, Frederic the Great. 

Vol VII - More critical and historical essays. Then follows with Macaulay's biographies of writers such as John Bunyan, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson. With a small section on the Indian Penal Code that he dedicated his final years towards creating. Also contains contributions to Knight's Quarterly Magazine. 

Vol VIII - Contains Macaulay's speeches, lays and poems, including 'Lays of Ancient Rome' - a series of popular poems about heroic episodes in Roman history which he began composing in India. Other miscellaneous poems include 'Ivry' and 'The Armada'.

The speeches give plenty of insight to Macaulay's political career. He served as the Secretary of War between 1839-1841, and as the Paymaster General between 1846-1848.

Condition

In full tree calf bindings signed by Riviere. Externally, most hinges are tender to strained but generally firm. Front hinges to the Vol III and Vol VI are very weak and front boards may detach with further handling. Rubbing to the extremities, heaviest to the spines. Small piece of cloth coming away to Vol VIII head of spine. Ex libris of one W. A. Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey to the front pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean

Fair

Delivery & payment

We send all of our books via courier which is a fully tracked and insured service. In our experience we find this to be the most reliable and quickest form of delivery. Our primary courier is DHL, but we are able to accommodate special requests if required, including postal delivery for items under 2kg. See More Details