A sequence of early nineteenth-century London Almanacks, which were essentially ephemeral and are consequently very rare indeed.
These eight miniature almanacs, (24mo., c. 57 x 34mm), are all in the original decorated morocco and gilt bindings, in combinations of red, buff, blue, crimson, and green, with matching slipcases. They include plates featuring Westminster Abbey with the recent improvements, the new Customs House, Furnival’s Inn, the Quadrant, Regent Street, St Pancras New Church, the Duke of York’s House in the Green Park and the grand entrance, lodge and new bridge in Hyde Park.
Guildhall Library has a run of the Stationers’ Almanacks from 1690 onwards, which until now had a significant gap in the early part of the nineteenth century, which these eight volumes largely fill.
The Almanacks are of importance to any major collection relating to London history, principally because the standard format includes multi-paged, and sometimes folding, engraved plates of various London landmarks, as well as a listing of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of that year. They are also significant examples of decorative bindings and of a tradition of printing ‘miniature books’.
The Almanacks are of importance to any major collection relating to London history, principally because the standard format includes multi-paged, and sometimes folding, engraved plates of various London landmarks, as well as a listing of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of that year. They are also significant examples of decorative bindings and of a tradition of printing ‘miniature books’.
This grant was awarded from FNL's B. H. Breslauer Fund, thanks to the generosity of the President and Officers of the B. H. Breslauer Foundation.
