The Poll for Knights of the Shire, to Represent the County of Westmorland

£400.00

The Poll for Knights of the Shire, to Represent the County of Westmorland

Name: The Poll for Knights of the Shire, to Represent the County of Westmorland
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5975
Price: 400.00 GBP
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The Poll for Knights of the Shire, to Represent the County of Westmorland, Anonymous — 1st Edition

Publication: Kendal, Airey and Bellingham, M. and R. Branthwaite, and All Other Book-sellers, 1818

Formatting: 8vo.

Condition Report: Very Good. This copy has been professionally rebound in modern brown cloth, rendering the structural integrity exceptionally sound with tight, secure hinges and clean, square boards free of shelf-wear. The spine features bright, unoxidised gilt titling that remains sharp and highly legible. Internally, the text block displays characteristic signs of age appropriate for early nineteenth-century paper stock, including moderate overall age-toning and intermittent light spotting or foxing, most notably to the title page and preliminaries. A faint trace of old damp staining is visible toward the margins of the opening leaves, though it does not obscure the text or compromise the structural stability of the pages. The bound-in folding manuscript leaf exhibits expected fold lines and minor edge wear but remains remarkably well-preserved and fully legible. Overall, this is a handsome, highly functional copy whose modern binding beautifully protects the delicate, historic contents within.

Catalogue Note: This is a first printing of the present poll book, issued unillustrated. Original printings of this volume are exceptionally scarce on the open market, as surviving copies are overwhelmingly held within institutional or academic archives.

The title page bears the ink ownership signature of "R. B. Armstrong / 11 Staple Inn". Robert Baynes Armstrong (1785–1869) was a Queen’s Counsel, bencher of the Inner Temple, and later the Radical Member of Parliament for Lancaster. His ownership situates this copy firmly within the legal and political circles of the period.

The volume is further distinguished by a bound-in folding manuscript leaf dating to April 1768. This handwritten document records Westmorland freeholders, their places of abode, and their voting allegiances from an election half a century prior. This unique inclusion offers an interesting comparative record of the region's early political history.

A scarce primary document recording one of the most fiercely fought provincial elections of the early nineteenth century. In 1818, the formidable Whig lawyer Henry Brougham launched an audacious challenge against the long-standing Tory dominance of the Lowther family in Westmorland. Though ultimately unsuccessful in this campaign, Brougham's efforts galvanised reforming sentiment and laid the groundwork for future democratic shifts. This poll book meticulously lists the names, residences, and votes of the participating freeholders, serving as an essential resource for political historians and genealogists alike.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Anonymous

Book Publisher: Airey and Bellingham, M. and R. Branthwaite

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1818

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Kendal, 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.