Old England
Title
Old England
Creator
Charles Knight, book's author
Publisher
London: James Sangster and Co.
Date
1845
Contributor
Megan Lepak researched and wrote the event description in 2018.
Description
For a description of the book, please click on the image of the event label/description or scroll to the bottom of the page for the section entitled "Text" for a transcription of the attached document.
[Both volumes are pictures on this record.]
[Both volumes are pictures on this record.]
Subject
History / Art / Architecture
Identifier
SPECIAL DA90 .K69 1844 v.1-2
Language
English, book's contents
English, event description
English, event description
Relation
To see this book on November 15, 2018 in the “Event Photographs” Collection, please go here [Photograph of Books] 05447.
Text
Transcript of event description:
OLD ENGLAND | CHARLES KNIGHT | LONDON: JAMES SANGSTER AND CO. | 1845
The binding of this book is half-bound dark smooth calf leather over 19th century stone marbled paper in tans, blues, and reds, colors that were commonly used in Great Britain. The edges of the covers were also originally marbled, but the colors have faded. There are narrow double gilt lines on the leather where it meets the marbling on the front and back covers. The spine features six panels, one of which has a green leather insert, and another has a tan leather insert with gilt text; the other four panels are decorated with a small and intricate gilt design. The raised bands on the spine separate the panels and are decorated with double gilt lines. There are more double gilt lines along the edges of the spine. In some areas the leather is red rotting, the leather is torn, the gilt work is obscured by dirt, etc.; however, the volume maintains an elegant appearance.
The interior also provides interesting visuals. The plates are on a heavier white paper, while the other illustrations are printed on the same paper as the text. The decorative title page features amusingly posed figures dressed in Medieval and Renaissance clothing associated with dancing court members, a king, and a maiden. The title of the book is printed on a banner atop a flagstaff. The use of a geometric rhombus design (to divide the decorative title page) also harkening back to architectural and artistic elements of the past. The edges of the design also feature beautiful scroll work in a further nod to all things antiquarian. Within the actual text, the raised capitals are elaborately stylized and decorated with intricate scrollwork. The text is printed in two columns, which helps to make the pages look less textually dense.
This oversized, illustrated history book has a more scholarly intent than books of this size today, which are treated as “coffee table books.” Old England was part of the 1990’s donation of Frank Upchurch.
OLD ENGLAND | CHARLES KNIGHT | LONDON: JAMES SANGSTER AND CO. | 1845
The binding of this book is half-bound dark smooth calf leather over 19th century stone marbled paper in tans, blues, and reds, colors that were commonly used in Great Britain. The edges of the covers were also originally marbled, but the colors have faded. There are narrow double gilt lines on the leather where it meets the marbling on the front and back covers. The spine features six panels, one of which has a green leather insert, and another has a tan leather insert with gilt text; the other four panels are decorated with a small and intricate gilt design. The raised bands on the spine separate the panels and are decorated with double gilt lines. There are more double gilt lines along the edges of the spine. In some areas the leather is red rotting, the leather is torn, the gilt work is obscured by dirt, etc.; however, the volume maintains an elegant appearance.
The interior also provides interesting visuals. The plates are on a heavier white paper, while the other illustrations are printed on the same paper as the text. The decorative title page features amusingly posed figures dressed in Medieval and Renaissance clothing associated with dancing court members, a king, and a maiden. The title of the book is printed on a banner atop a flagstaff. The use of a geometric rhombus design (to divide the decorative title page) also harkening back to architectural and artistic elements of the past. The edges of the design also feature beautiful scroll work in a further nod to all things antiquarian. Within the actual text, the raised capitals are elaborately stylized and decorated with intricate scrollwork. The text is printed in two columns, which helps to make the pages look less textually dense.
This oversized, illustrated history book has a more scholarly intent than books of this size today, which are treated as “coffee table books.” Old England was part of the 1990’s donation of Frank Upchurch.
Original Format
Book / Unpublished Print Document
Collection
Citation
Charles Knight, book's author, “Old England,” Beautiful Books in Flagler College's Special Collections, accessed May 15, 2024, https://beautifulbooks.omeka.net/items/show/193.