Coke of Norfolk Stirling 1908 1st Ed Vol I Illustrated Provenance Copy
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
Full Title: Coke of Norfolk and His Friends: The Life of Thomas William Coke
Author: A. M. W. Stirling
Date: 1908
Edition: First Edition
Format: Volume I only (of two volumes)
Publisher: John Lane, The Bodley Head, London & New York
Printer: Wm. Brendon and Son Ltd., Plymouth
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
This substantial Edwardian biography chronicles the life and influence of Thomas William Coke, widely known as “Coke of Norfolk,” one of the most significant agricultural reformers and landowners of his age.
His long life spanned a period of profound change in British agriculture and politics, and he became a central figure in the advancement of farming practices and rural estate management. The work draws upon correspondence and contemporary accounts, offering insight into his relationships with notable figures across Britain and beyond.
Published by The Bodley Head, this work reflects the early twentieth-century appetite for detailed historical biography, combining scholarly narrative with a rich visual programme of engravings and portrait reproductions.
 
About the Author
A. M. W. Stirling was a historian and biographer known for detailed studies of prominent British figures and families.
 
Illustrations
Volume I is illustrated with a substantial series of plates, including:
Photogravure frontispiece after Thomas Gainsborough 
Portraits after Godfrey Kneller and Joshua Reynolds 
Historical and architectural views of Holkham 
Notable figures including Benedict Arnold and correspondence relating to Horatio Nelson 
⚠️ The plate facing page 388 (Roger Wilbraham, M.P.) is not present, with no visible evidence of removal.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Bound in original blue cloth.
The binding remains intact and structurally sound, though showing clear signs of age and use:
Noticeable fading and discolouration to the spine 
Marks and staining to the boards 
Rubbing at edges and corners 
Small splits at the head and tail of the spine 
A solid, honest antiquarian binding with visible age-related wear.
 
Interior Condition
Internally well preserved for its age:
Pages lightly tanned, with darker toning towards the front 
Occasional foxing and light marks 
Light pencil marks to front endpapers 
Structural condition:
Pages 229–236 partially loose at the lower inner margin, but still attached 
Very light gutter crack near page 239 
Otherwise, the text block remains secure and complete.
 
Physical Details
xviii + 449 pages 
Approx. 21.8 x 15 x 5.2 cm 
 
Provenance
This volume bears an armorial ex libris bookplate for “Judge Mellor, K.C.”, identifying a King’s Counsel and legal figure active in the early twentieth century.
Contemporary references place Judge Mellor presiding in the Manchester County Court during the 1910s and 1920s, including cases relating to wartime requisitioning, industrial claims, and commercial disputes. His designation as King’s Counsel confirms a senior position within the British legal profession.
The armorial design, featuring a ram’s head above the motto “Ad Meliora” (“Towards better things”), adds visual and historical character.
While not associated with a widely celebrated public figure, this provenance provides:
Authentic period ownership 
A clear professional context 
Additional collector interest through identifiable legal association 
A pleasing and credible example of Edwardian ownership.