CORFE CASTLE, OR KENESWITHA

Published by Hurst, Robinson & Co., London 1824

The book was published anonymously, but is attributed elsewhere to John Fitzgerald PENNIE.

Quite an uncommon volume, particularly in what I take to be the original paperboard covers with cloth spine and title label adhered to the upper spine.  The end papers - paste down and first free end papers - are new; and so appear to have been bound in using the original boards.  The book has come from the library of the Dorsetman, collector and author H. F. V. Johnstone whose collection is now housed in the Dorset History Centre archive.  Johnstone's unassuming bookplate is on the paste down of the volume.  

A tale of Saxons and Danes based around the history and location of that iconic Dorset structure of Corfe Castle.  The author's dedication is to the M.P. Henry Bankes of nearby Kingston Lacy, who at the time represented the borough of Corfe Castle as Member of Parliament.

Vintage, pre-owned.  No dust jacket.  Boards are rubbed, scuffed, scraped.  A few small stains.  Edge wear with the corners scuffed with some loss of the paper and the underlying card worn and exposed.  Cloth spine has some splits at the joints which are scuffed with some of the cloth fraying.  The title label is rubbed and scuffed with the some of the titling faded and illegible and some of it rubbed away.  The spine may have been relaid over new cloth as part a restoration process.  Previous owner's name and location in antique ink hand on a free front end paper.  Title page is illustrated with an engraving of the castle.  Some age-related spotting internally, but by and large the pages are good and clean.  Hinge is weakening at the title page, but the block throughout is solid.  Rough cut with the usual associated edge wear.  

pp vii, 434.  8vo, book measures approx. 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 ins.

UK return accepted if returned in same condition as received within 30 days of receipt.  Return postage not refunded.