The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents

The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents

£28.50
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The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
  • The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents
The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents

The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents

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The John Rylands Library Manchester: A Brief Historical Description of the Library and Its Contents, Henry Guppy — First Edition

Publication: Manchester, At The University Press / London, Bernard Quaritch, and Sherratt and Hughes, 1914

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xv, 73.

Condition Report: Good. The original printed brown paper wrappers remain fully intact but exhibit noticeable signs of handling and age, appropriate for a visitor's guide of this era. The spine ends are heavily chipped with minor loss at the head and tail, and there is a faint reading crease running the length of the spine. The yapp edges are somewhat frayed and nicked, with a few short closed tears along the margins, and a faint liquid drop mark is present on the front wrapper. The binding remains sound and reasonably tight. Internally, the deckled-edge text block is surprisingly bright and clean, free of major foxing, with only very light marginal toning. A highly charming survival, notably retaining the loose 'Rules and Regulations' insert in very well-preserved condition.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition of the John Rylands Library’s official historical description. Originally sold to visitors for "Sixpence net," as indicated on the front wrapper, it serves as a primary source document for the institution's early twentieth-century curation and daily operations.

The volume is profusely illustrated with thirty-seven black-and-white photographic views and facsimiles of the library’s architectural highlights and most treasured manuscripts. Crucially, this copy retains the original, loose 'Rules and Regulations' sheet, a highly ephemeral piece of library history that is almost universally lost in surviving copies.

Copies circulating on the open market in their original, fragile paper wrappers are rather scarce. Those that do surface often suffer from severe loss to the spine or detached covers, making this relatively complete example a desirable reference piece.

Published on the eve of the First World War, this authoritative guidebook offers a fascinating contemporary window into the majestic John Rylands Library in Manchester. Authored by the library's esteemed founding librarian, Henry Guppy, the text provides a comprehensive history of the institution's inception, alongside detailed highlights of its staggering collection of rare books and ancient manuscripts. Lavishly illustrated with architectural views and textual facsimiles, it stands as both an essential reference for bibliophiles and a captivating piece of Edwardian civic history.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Henry Guppy

Book Publisher: Manchester University Press, Bernard Quaritch, and Sherratt and Hughes

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 73

Book Publication Year: 1914

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Manchester, 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.

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