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“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
There’s history in everything; peoples, places, politics, science, war, art, to name but a few. We all have our personal favourite historical fascinations, and it’s a safe bet that a book (or books) has been written to satisfy our curiosity. The curators of Country House Library’s history section have chosen a small sample from our vintage collection.
Author Geoffrey Ashe MBE FRSL (1923 – 2022) was a British cultural historian and expert on everything ‘Arthurian’, including Camelot, Cadbury Castle, Glastonbury and the legendary wizard, Merlin. This publication was Ashe’s fifth book on the subject, first published in 1968. He believed that the legendary King Arthur was a composite figure, centred largely on ‘Riothamus’ – a Romano-British military leader who was active around AD 470, fighting against the invading Goths in alliance with a fading Roman Empire. At over 50 years old, this book is in itself a glimpse into the history of English history, and a must for lovers of ancient English legend.
Author of the 43 volumes of The King’s England, Arthur Henry Mee (1875 -1943) was probably best known for The Children’s Encyclopaediawhich was published from 1908 to 1964, although this topographical series of the English counties was also a much respected body of work and scholarship. Country House Library is delighted to be able to offer this 1966 publication of our home county – Gloucestershire. Including in-depth detail and photographs of 334 Gloucestershire places of interest, including the Cotswolds, this is a must-have history book for anyone who loves Gloucestershire.
Alan Warwick Palmer (1926 – 2022) was a prolific author of historical and biographical books, elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1980. Spanning the years from the storming of La Bastille in Paris to the end of the Second World War, 1789 to 1945, this dictionary of historical events centres mainly on British history, although care is given to include major international affairs. In alphabetical order, this is an easy-access book of history, perfect for an absorbing, quiet few hours.
Dion William Palgrave Clayton Calthrop (1878 – 1935) was a freelance painter, graphic artist and magazine illustrator, but from 1906 concentrated on his skills as writer and playwright. He often provided the artwork for his own books and even designed the scenery and costume for his London plays. In the introduction to this publication from 1907, illustrated by the author, Calthrop says, “…I do not wish this book to go forth and be received with that frigid politeness which usually welcomes a history to the shelves of the bookcase, there to remain unread. This book is intended to be read, and is not wrapped up in grandiose phrases and a great wind about nothing…” This is a fascinating corner of English history and a major works from a true publishing polymath.
Country House Library is delighted to offer this intriguing book as part of our selected history collection. The pages contain eighty-seven eye-witness accounts of major historical events and personalities from 1485 to 1688, including meeting Queen Elizabeth I, the burning of Thomas Cranmer, a meeting with Francis Drake, and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in the infamous ‘Star Chamber’ of King Henry VIII’s. Published by the renowned Oxford publishing house, Basil Blackwell, this is a wonderful book of history and outstanding value.
To the uninitiated, a precise definition of ‘porcelain’ is hard to find. A translucence is often a reliable indicator while the Chinese expect to hear a resonance from their porcelain, although many examples can be found of opaque, non-resonant porcelain! Perhaps the answer is to purchase this ‘Pelican Original’ 1963 publication. The author explains the origins of porcelain back to Tang Dynasty of China (618 – 907), through to the exquisite expressions of the art in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. Within the pages of this historical reference book for porcelain-lovers, are 64 full-colour plates detailing unique specimens from public and private collections.
“We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” – William E. Gladstone.
William Ewart Gladstone (1809 – 1898) served as British Prime Minister on four separate occasions, from 1868 to 1894. Firstly as a Conservative, and latterly a Liberal, Gladstone was popular with the working-class and became known as “The People’s William”. Another term of endearment was “G.O.M” of British politics, an acronym for ‘Grand Old Man’, although his political opponents preferred the denigrating alternative of ‘God’s Only Mistake’. Whatever your political leanings, Gladstone was one of the defining politicians of British history, presiding over Queen Victoria’s colonial ‘empire’ for more than half a century. This collectable set of four volumes, published in the 1890’s, would be a treasure in any home library collection of vintage history.
For any Yorkshireman or woman who loves local history, this beautifully presented publication from 1908 would surely take pride of place on the bookshelves. The author and artist of the numerous full-colour plates, Gordon Home (1878 -1969), was an accomplished landscape artist who frequently exhibited at the Royal Academy. By far England’s largest county, to use its nickname, “God’s Own County”, Yorkshire includes three national parks of great beauty - The Yorkshire Dales, The North York Moors, and The Peak District. Embellished on the front cover with the White Rose emblem of Yorkshire and lacquered with gold lettering, this is a fine example from the Country House Library collection of all things ‘Yorkshire’.
Yet another treasure unearthed from the Country House Library history section. This 1883 publication was written by Arabella Buckley, a close associate of evolutionist Charles Darwin, a science writer and educator who published a number of highly respected works aimed primarily at the younger reader, but was appreciated by anyone interested in the natural sciences. Buckley avoided using a dry, academic style in her books, preferring to use metaphor and narrative to reach a wider, lay audience. Published female scientists were a rare phenomenon in the 19th century, so this collectable publication is in itself an item of historical interest.
Ever wondered why your local pub is called the ‘Cat and Custard Pot’, ‘The Drunken Duck’, or ‘The Gate Hangs Well’? Old Inn signs have their roots in local history or ancient folklore, and what better way to spend a lazy hour than by looking up all the taverns in your area and entertaining your family and friends with your new-found knowledge? For instance the pub ‘The Moon under Water’ gets its name from a 1946 essay by author George Orwell, who described his ideal pub as “having Victorian architecture, serves a good lunch and the barmaid knows everyone’s name”. What better place to read your favourite history book from Country House Library?
From Gloucestershire to Yorkshire, King Arthur to Prime Minister Gladstone, Porcelain to Pub signs, the Country House Library history section has something to satisfy everyone’s curiosity of times past. Whether you’re an amateur (or indeed, professional) historian, or a lover of fine vintage books, just type the author, title or subject matter into our search bar and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll find.
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