MURRAY'S HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN SWITZERLAND 1838.

UK,12mo HB+dw/dj,1st edn thus.[Originally published 1838,this is a 1970 complete facimile edn of that title,so 1st edn thus - with the exception and omission of a panorama of the Bernese Alps and a map at the end of the book.Both were of poor quality and would of been of little help to the reader today.Pre ISBN system so SBN 718550110.A title in 'The Victorian Library' series,published by the Leicester University Press.The object is to make available again, Victorian classics in many fields, each with a lengthy introduction, written especially for this series by a well-known authority either on the author or his subject - in this case Jack Simmons - who is Professor of History in the University of Leicester.and a bibliographical note on the text.As at 1970 there were 19 editions of this title,the lst being in 1904.] FINE+/VG++.No owner inscrptn but price-clip to dw/dj.Bright and generally clean,matt,orange background with b/w illustrated design label panel to front and spine with black lettering and publisher's advert for other previous and also forthcoming titles in the series; with negligible shelf- wear or creasing to edges and corners - some minor chipping and small nicks mainly to top edges and head of spine of dw/dj.Top edges coloured salmon(?) with minimal marks,fore-edges though very lightly aged are bright and generally clean; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - virtually pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread - apart from my own collation.Bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered, publisher's original greeny-blue faux leather/rexine (?) boards with bright,crisp,stamped gilt lettered monogram 'VL' ('Victorian Library') to front bd and foot of spine/backstrip,bright,crisp,stamped gilt lettering to spine/backstrip and immaculate plain white endpapers.UK,thick 12mo HB+dw/dj,1st edn thus,10-32pp+ii-lixpp (59pp)+2-367pp [paginated] includes introduction by Jack Simmons,recto of bibliographical note.recto of book's original preface,contents list/table of 1-19 sections of introductory information (Passports,money,travelling,guides etc),contents list/table of Section I - Switzerland list of routes,contents list/table of Section II - The Alps of Savoy and Piedmont routes,preliminary information,skeleton tours,an index, plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages,note on Victorian Library, editor's note,facsimile reproductions of half-title+title pages,verso of preface,contents list/table,and separate Sections I+II contents lists/tables.
This was one of the first and best of a distinguished and extensive series famous in Victorian England.In the 1830s,Englishmen of the middle classes were travelling abroad in increasing numbers and they needed this new kind of book: filled with practical information, but also supplying a substantial account of the country,its people,antiquities and landscape. Switzerland in 1838 was at an interesting juncture of its history,the profound changes set in motion by the 1798 revolution still working themselves out.
The handbook is a valuable companion tot he country today,a varied and shrewd account of a world part vanished and part still enduring.It shows the structure of the country,its history,and - valley by valley and peak by peak - its topography.
This edition has an introduction by Jack Simmons,Professor of History in the University of Leicester.
Since April 2013,again in March 2015,and in this year too,the UK Post Office has altered it's Pricing in Proportion template,altering it's prices, weight allowances,dimensions and lowered it's qualifying compensation rates too!
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