{"product_id":"draft-1","title":"Minutes, Experiments, Observations, and General Remarks, on Agriculture, in the Southern Counties","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMinutes, Experiments, Observations, and General Remarks, on Agriculture, in the Southern Counties, William Marshall — New Edition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e London, Printed for G. Nicol, G. G. and J. Robinson, and J. Debrett, 1799\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e 2 vols, 8vo, pp. xxiii, [i], 414, [2]; xi, [i], 387, [5]. 1 double-page engraved map, 5 double-page engraved plates, and 1 folding plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e Very Good. The two volumes are bound in attractive half calf over marbled boards, presenting a handsomely distinguished shelf appearance. The bindings remain firm and highly secure, though the marbled paper to the boards exhibits noticeable rubbing and surface wear typical of its age, with the underlying boards exposed at the corners and outer edges. The calf spines and leather corners show gentle rubbing and minor darkening, yet the gilt ruling and spine lettering have survived brightly and remain entirely legible without oxidation. Internally, the set is highly commendable; the hinges are sound, and the text blocks are reassuringly tight. The pages are predominantly clean and bright, showing only occasional minor instances of faint spotting and offsetting, with no significant intrusions or heavy foxing. The Somerhill Library armorial bookplates to the front pastedowns are exceptionally well-preserved and neatly affixed, rounding out a highly appealing, robustly preserved set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e This 1799 edition stands as the second edition overall of William Marshall's agricultural survey of the Southern Counties (initially published in 1798), but it is notably the true first edition to incorporate \u003ci\u003eA Sketch of the Vale of London, and an outline of its rural economy\u003c\/i\u003e. Marshall (1745–1818) was a prominent and highly influential English writer on agriculture, and alongside Arthur Young, stands as a primary historical source for understanding the farming practices of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe set bears distinguished provenance, featuring the handsome armorial bookplates of the Somerhill Library to the front pastedowns. Somerhill House is a grand Grade I listed Jacobean mansion situated near Tonbridge in Kent, historically housing a significant country house library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplete sets in period bindings with the accompanying plates and map remain scarce on the open market, particularly when retaining strong internal integrity and historical country house provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWilliam Marshall’s \u003ci\u003eMinutes, Experiments, Observations, and General Remarks, on Agriculture, in the Southern Counties\u003c\/i\u003e offers an unparalleled contemporary window into the agrarian practices, rural economy, and land management of late 18th-century England. As one of the era’s foremost agricultural commentators, Marshall provides meticulous, firsthand observations on everything from soil treatments and crop yields to estate management and livestock breeding. This expanded 1799 edition is particularly vital for local historians and agricultural scholars, as it is the first to include his detailed survey of the \"Vale of London,\" capturing the unique economic and agricultural landscape surrounding the rapidly expanding capital before the onslaught of 19th-century industrialisation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54551890264403,"sku":"4963","price":415.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260731_000148.jpg?v=1786435245","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/draft-1","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}