A Short History of The English People [First Edition, 1887]

New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1887. [1887] FIRST EDITION hardcover. [Not a facsimile, recent reprint, or book on demand- this is the 1887 edition.] Dark brown binding; borders and publisher's logo in-blind on covers; gilt lettering and designs on spine. Colored map bound in, 823 pages plus two pages of advertising by publishers at end. Condition of binding: Lightly age toned; minor shelf wear; fraying to top/foot of spine; light bumps to corners and one extremity; faint stain to lower right corners of top cover. Interior: Long, faint gift inscription on blank page in preliminaries (strangely dated 1886, one year prior to publication of book); bump to lower right corner of text block; else overall Very Good. Text is clear and very readable. Colored page map clear and vivid. Free of the smoke smell of a cigarette or cigar smoker. An educational, historical first edition. This book, according to the author, is a history of the English people, not of English Kings or English Conquests. He passed lightly and briefly over the details of wars and diplomacies, and personal adventures of kings and nobles, and the pomp of courts. Instead, the author focuses on the incidents of the constitutional, intellectual, and social advance. He devoted more space to Chaucer, Caxton, the Poor Law of Elizabeth, and to the Methodist revival. He set Shakespeare among the heroes of the Elizabethan age, and placed the scientific inquiries of Royal Society next to the victories of the New Model. Included are Chronological Annals and Genealogical Tables. A wonderful, historical, collectible work. Note: We are a well-established, well-respected, ethical book dealer in business since 1991. We describe the condition of our books thoroughly and honestly, so you'll know exactly what you will be receiving when you order. We ship promptly.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good.