Crichton, William Harrison Ainsworth — 3rd Edition, Revised

£400.00

Crichton, William Harrison Ainsworth — 3rd Edition, Revised

Name: Crichton, William Harrison Ainsworth — 3rd Edition, Revised
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4298
Price: 400.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Chapman and Hall, 1849

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 353.

Condition Report Very Good. The original cloth binding remains structurally sound, though it exhibits the typical sun-fading associated with nineteenth-century green dyes, having turned to a tan/brown tone along the extremities of the boards and the entirety of the spine. The spine ends and corners show light rubbing and bumping, but the black leather title label remains intact and sharply legible. The gilt crest on the front board remains exceptionally bright and unoxidised. Internally, the hinges are secure, and the text block is relatively clean with only standard, age-appropriate toning and mild scattered foxing, primarily to the endpapers and preliminaries. The engraved plates remain well-preserved and firmly attached.

Catalogue Note Third Edition, Revised, of Ainsworth's classic romance, which holds special significance as the first edition to be accompanied by the eighteen lively steel-engraved illustrations by Hablot K. Browne (famously known as "Phiz," Charles Dickens's premier illustrator).

The present copy is highly notable for its provenance, bearing a contemporary presentation inscription from the author in ink on the front free endpaper: "Mr Cruden. / From / W. Harrison Ainsworth / June 14. 1849." Additionally, the book is accompanied by a charming, loosely inserted piece of ephemera, a gifting note on headed paper from "10 Lowndes Square S.W. 1." reading: "Dear Pa, Every happy Christmas - I hope these will be acceptable - I thought you should have Ainsworth's signature in your collection - Your Son Henry."

A thrilling historical romance by William Harrison Ainsworth, Crichton follows the dramatic exploits of the famed 16th-century Scottish polymath and adventurer, James Crichton. Set against the vibrant and treacherous backdrop of the French court, the novel weaves a sensational tale of duels, romance, and political intrigue, capturing the swashbuckling spirit that made Ainsworth one of the most widely read authors of the Victorian era. Brought to life by the kinetic illustrations of Phiz, this tale remains a captivating classic of the urban gothic genre.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: William Harrison Ainsworth

Book Publisher: Chapman and Hall

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: Third Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 353

Book Publication Year: 1849

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Hablot K. Browne ("Phiz")

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.