{"product_id":"old-manor-houses-cecil-aldin-1st-edition","title":"Old Manor Houses, Cecil Aldin — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: London, William Heinemann, Ltd., 1923\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4to, pp. [viii], 108.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e: Good. The original publisher's woven grey cloth binding remains sound but exhibits moderate wear, with bumping and minor fraying visible to the spine ends and board corners. The cloth is somewhat rubbed and age-toned, though the gilt and blue lettering to the front board and spine remains reasonably bright and legible. The text block features untrimmed edges which are appropriately age-tanned. Internally, the book suffers from heavy, conspicuous foxing to the preliminary leaves, most notably on the front blank which bears a contemporary ink gift inscription dated December 1923. This spotting extends intermittently throughout the text block, primarily affecting the margins. The hinges appear secure and the binding is tight, with the illustrated landscape endpapers remaining vibrant despite the surrounding foxing. The colour plates, each accompanied by a guard sheet with descriptive letterpress, are largely unaffected and remain vivid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e: First edition, published in 1923. Cecil Aldin, celebrated primarily for his sporting illustrations, demonstrates his deep appreciation for regional topography in this beautifully produced volume exploring historic English architecture. The work is notable for its vibrant colour plates and charming line illustrations that capture the character of notable domestic estates such as Moreton Old Hall and Stokesay Castle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This copy features a contemporary gift inscription dated December 1923 to a preliminary blank, denoting a Christmas presentation shortly following publication. While not particularly scarce on the current market, it remains a highly desirable example of early twentieth-century illustration and architectural nostalgia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eOld Manor Houses\u003c\/i\u003e, renowned illustrator Cecil Aldin turns his discerning eye away from his usual sporting subjects to document the fading grandeur of England's historic estates. Through a series of evocative colour plates and detailed line drawings, Aldin conducts a visual tour of iconic residences, from the striking timber-framing of Cheshire's Moreton Old Hall to the stone battlements of Shropshire's Stokesay Castle. Complemented by his own historical commentary, the book serves as a charming and nostalgic record of British architectural heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54736985817427,"sku":"5293","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260819_134304.jpg?v=1787751816","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/old-manor-houses-cecil-aldin-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}