Lands Beyond the Channel Mackinder c1921 12th Ed 171 Maps Illustrated
 
Lands Beyond the Channel Mackinder c1921 12th Edition, with 171 maps and illustrations in decorative cloth. Complete, sound, and historically important.
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
Title: Lands Beyond the Channel: An Elementary Study in Geography and History
Author: Sir Halford Mackinder
Edition: Twelfth Edition
Publisher: George Philip & Son, Ltd., London & Liverpool
Date: c.1921–1922
Illustrations: 171 Maps and Illustrations, including frontispiece photographic plate
Pagination: xv + 304 pages
Format: Decorative red cloth
 
Undated, but internally evidenced by the Note to the Eleventh Edition dated January 1921 and a contemporary ownership inscription dated 10.5.22. The twelfth edition was therefore issued between early 1921 and 1922.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
 
Sir Halford Mackinder was one of the most influential geopolitical thinkers of the early twentieth century. Lands Beyond the Channel was conceived as an educational work designed to integrate geography and history, presenting Europe and the Mediterranean world not merely as political entities, but as landscapes shaping civilisation.
 
The eleventh edition was thoroughly revised in light of the First World War, reflecting the immense geopolitical changes that reshaped Europe. This twelfth edition belongs to that crucial post-war moment when borders were redrawn, empires dissolved, and the League of Nations emerged, notably included in the final chapter.
 
It stands as a fascinating educational document of the immediate post-war settlement.
 
About the Author
 
Sir Halford Mackinder (1861–1947) was a British geographer and geopolitical theorist, best known for formulating the “Heartland Theory,” which profoundly influenced twentieth-century strategic thought. His works remain foundational in political geography and international relations.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
 
Bound in striking red decorative cloth with black ornamental stamping and black lettering to the front board and spine. Publisher’s black device to the rear board.
 
A visually appealing shelf copy.
 
Condition includes:
Light bumping and gentle rubbing to corners
Light creasing to spine
Light rubbing at head and tail
Small/light marks and mild fading
Minor patches of light discolouration
 
Structurally sound and attractive.
 
Interior Condition
 
Pages lightly tanned
Light foxing and tanning to pastedowns and endpapers
Contemporary pen inscription dated 10.5.22 to front free endpaper
Remnants of erased pencil on same page
Pages predominantly clean and uncreased
Very occasional small mark
No tears to pages
 
Structural notes:
Extremely light gutter crack between pages 96–97
A small handful of leaves detached at the lower inner seam only, but remain firmly attached and secure
 
All xv + 304 pages present and checked.
 
Physical Details
 
18.6 cm x 13.4 cm x 2.3 cm
Weight: approx. 492g
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
 
Later editions of this title are not rare; however, early post–First World War impressions in decorative cloth and complete with all maps are increasingly less common in attractive condition.
 
This twelfth edition is particularly interesting as it represents the fully revised post-war text reflecting new European political realities. Copies with contemporary 1921–22 inscriptions add appealing period authenticity.
 
A desirable example for collectors of:
Early geopolitical thought
Educational history
Interwar European studies
Mackinder’s works