Hidden Churches of Northumbria: Forty Four Dowsed Plans, H Denis Briggs
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Hidden Churches of Northumbria: Forty Four Dowsed Plans, H Denis Briggs — First Edition
Publication: Newcastle upon Tyne, H. D. Briggs, 1987
Formatting: 4to, unpaginated.
Condition Report: Very Good. The card wrappers display faint age-toning and mild shelf-wear, primarily consisting of minor creases to the outer corners and light rubbing along the extremities. The black plastic comb binding remains fully intact, tight, and robust, with no cracked or missing teeth. Internally, the pages are uniformly bright and clean, free from foxing, tearing, or obtrusive blemishes, ensuring the architectural plans and accompanying text remain crisp and highly legible throughout.
Catalogue Note: First edition. A remarkably scarce self-published piece of fringe archaeological literature. H. Denis Briggs, who alongside Professor Richard N. Bailey later authored the controversial Dowsing and Church Archaeology (1988), here presents his earlier independent findings mapping hidden Anglo-Saxon and early medieval ecclesiastical structures across Northumbria.
Given its comb-bound format, this title was likely produced in a very small limitation for local historical societies or niche archaeological circles, rendering it exceptionally uncommon on the open market today. It includes an introduction by Professor Bailey and bears a printed acknowledgment to the Northumberland County Record Office on the imprint page.
Blending local historical topography with the esoteric practice of biolocation, Hidden Churches of Northumbria presents an unconventional approach to early medieval archaeology. Briggs offers forty-four detailed architectural plans of historic Northumbrian churches, including Bolam, Bywell, and Bellingham, which he mapped not through traditional excavation, but through the technique of dowsing. Accompanied by analytical text, this fascinating volume captures a unique intersection of folklore, antiquarianism, and alternative archaeological theory.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: H Denis Briggs
Book Publisher: H. D. Briggs
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: History
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages:
Book Publication Year: 1987
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Comb Binding
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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