The British Museum Library: A Short History and Survey, Arundell Esdaile

£15.10

The British Museum Library: A Short History and Survey, Arundell Esdaile

Name: The British Museum Library: A Short History and Survey, Arundell Esdaile
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6870
Price: 15.10 GBP
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The British Museum Library: A Short History and Survey, Arundell Esdaile — 1st Edition

Publication: London, George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1946

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 388.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original dark blue cloth binding remains square and firm, featuring remarkably crisp and bright gilt tooling of a seated lion to the front board. There is some light shelf-wear to the extremities, primarily consisting of minor rubbing and bumping to the head and tail of the spine, alongside slight dulling to the spine's gilt lettering. Internally, the text block is sound, with the pages remaining largely clean and legible; there is some light toning to the margins, mild foxing to the preliminary pages, and typical darkening to the top edge. A handsome, sturdy copy overall.

Catalogue Note: First edition, produced under the Book Production War Economy Standard. With an introduction by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon.

This copy is bound in the publisher's original dark blue cloth. Arundell Esdaile, a former Assistant Keeper in the Department of Printed Books and Secretary to the Trustees, offers an authoritative account of the institution's history and its myriad collections up to the mid-twentieth century.

Copies of this first printing in the original cloth are relatively common on the open market, though examples retaining such bright, unoxidised gilt to the front board are highly appealing.

In The British Museum Library, Arundell Esdaile provides a comprehensive and engaging history of one of the world's most renowned literary repositories. Drawing from his extensive experience within the institution, Esdaile traces the library's evolution from its foundational collections through to the mid-twentieth century. He meticulously details the acquisition of printed books, manuscripts, and oriental collections, offering readers an invaluable reference guide that illuminates the true significance and monumental scale of the museum's holdings.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Arundell Esdaile

Book Publisher: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 388

Book Publication Year: 1946

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover, Cloth

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

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Condition	Description
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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.