1907 The Story of Ashby-de-la-Zouch – Oddfellows Manchester Unity Provenance– 1st Edition
 
A scarce first edition (1907) of The Story of Ashby-de-la-Zouch by W. Scott, handsomely bound in green half-leather with cloth boards, gilt decorations and lettering on the spine, top-edge gilt, and yellow endpapers. It contains a complete set of 58 illustrations, including plates.
 
This is a presentation copy to Provincial Grand Master J.H. Hawkins from the Officers and Brethren of the Ashby-de-la-Zouch District Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, dated 10 March 1910. The ornate handwritten and decorated inscription on the front flyleaf adds significant provenance and historical value, connecting the book to one of Britain’s most influential fraternal orders.
 
The Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, founded in Manchester in 1810, was a leading friendly society dedicated to mutual aid and community welfare before the advent of the welfare state. Presentation copies to high-ranking officers are rare and sought after by collectors of fraternal and social history.
 
Publication Details
 
Year / Edition: 1907, First Edition
Publisher: George Brown, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Binding: Green half-leather (spine, inner board edges, and corners) with green cloth boards; gilt spine tooling, decorations & lettering. Panelled spine, with five raised bands.
Illustrations: 58 total (complete); note: the plate listed in the contents as facing p.240 is opposite p.248
Pages: xvi + 464 pages (all present and accounted for)
Size: Approx. 18.6 × 13.3 × 3.3 cm
Weight: Approx. 682 g
 
Exterior Condition
 
The green half-leather panelled spine and corners remain intact and robust. There is rubbing to the leather, particularly at the edges, corners, and spine ends, with a couple of very small splits in the leather, soft bumping at the corners, and mild fading to the spine panel. The green cloth boards are firm with some light marks and gentle wear to the edges. Gilt decoration and lettering on the spine remain clear and attractive.
 
Interior Condition
 
The book is bright, clean, and tightly bound throughout, except for some tanning and minor foxing on the front flyleaf and the reverse of the endpapers. The yellow pastedowns and endpapers are in good condition. The decorative presentation inscription to PGM J.H. Hawkins is a striking feature, executed in red and black ink with calligraphic flourishes.
The pages are crisp with no loose leaves. There are only a few minor imperfections:
Light creases to a couple of pages
Small rip to the bottom edge of p.119 and overleaf (the text is unaffected)
Very small rips between the back pastedown and back free endpaper
Minimal pencil remnants on p.69
The illustrations are all present and well-preserved, with no significant foxing to plates.
 
Provenance
 
Presented to Provincial Grand Master J.H. Hawkins by the Officers and Brethren of the Ashby-de-la-Zouch District Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, as a memento of his official visit on 10 March 1910. This direct link to the Oddfellows’ leadership adds notable collectable appeal.