Goldsmith’s British History
Author: The Rev. J. Goldsmith (pseudonym of Sir Richard Phillips)
Title: British History, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time: with Anecdotes of the Progress of Society and Manners
Edition: A New and Improved Edition
Published: London: Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, Paternoster-Row, 1847
Printed by: J. and C. Adlard, Bartholomew Close
Binding: Original decorative red cloth over boards with gilt and blind stamping; all edges gilt
Illustrations: 12 engraved plates total: frontispiece, 8 full-page engravings, 1 map plate, 2 folding maps
Pagination: 175pp
Dimensions: Approx. 15 × 9.5 × 1.8 cm
Weight: Approx. 140g
Description
A scarce and handsomely preserved mid-Victorian illustrated history of Britain, written under the pseudonym "Rev. J. Goldsmith" by Sir Richard Phillips (1767–1840), a pioneering educational publisher and founder of The Monthly Magazine. This 1847 "New and Improved Edition" presents a sweeping narrative of British history from ancient times to the mid-19th century, interspersed with engaging anecdotes on the progress of manners and society across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Lavishly produced for the educational gift book market, this small-format volume features:
12 engraved plates: including a frontispiece, 8 full-page illustrated plates, 2 folding maps, and 1 additional map plate, all collated and present
Original red cloth boards with gilt-stamped title and decoration to the upper board, blind-stamped decorations to both boards
All edges gilt, with yellow endpapers and pastedowns
Physical Condition
Binding: Red cloth-covered boards with ornate gilt and blind-stamped design. Spine gently faded, with a small split near the top; corners bumped; mild surface marks.
Text Block: Tightly bound. Although there are small splits between the pastedowns and endpapers, the text block is tightly bound.
Pages: Light age-toning with occasional mild foxing or marks. Several pages show light creases or small folds. A few edges roughly cut from original gatherings, as is common in 19th-century books.
Plates & Maps: All present and clean. Fold-out maps in very good condition.
Inscriptions: Ink ownership inscription to the front free endpaper:
“Major F. H. Brackenbury, Feb 27th 1850.”
Provenance
The front free endpaper is inscribed: “Major F. H. Brackenbury, Feb 27th 1850.” Recent research has identified an F. H. Brackenbury, Esq. cited in an 1838 edition of The London Standard - likely the same individual, promoted to Major by 1850. This suggests the book belonged to a military officer of social standing, adding a layer of personal and historical interest for collectors.
Rarity & Market Notes
This 1847 edition is extremely scarce, especially complete with all 12 engraved plates and original decorative cloth binding. No other copies of this exact issue, in similarly complete and original condition, are presently recorded on the market or institutional listings. The small size, early Victorian production, and elaborate illustrative content make this a standout example of educational gift publishing of the era.
Books published under Phillips’s “Goldsmith” pseudonym rarely appear with their full plate suites intact, and fewer still retain their original cloth in collectible condition.