The Story of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Oddfellows: A Rare 1907 First Edition With a Personal Connection
- Marie
- Aug 26, 2025
- 2 min read
A First Edition That Holds Its Own Story
Every antiquarian book has a quiet history inside it. This 1907 first edition of The Story of Ashby-de-la-Zouch by W. Scott carries something truly rare. Bound in green half-leather with cloth boards, gilt detail and 58 illustrations, it’s beautiful to hold. And then you reach the flyleaf. There, in black and red ink, is an elegant inscription to J.H. Hawkins, Provincial Grand Master, presented by his Brothers in the Ashby-de-la-Zouch District Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, dated March 10, 1910. A simple book. Made unforgettable by connection.
Why the Oddfellows Matter
The Oddfellows (Manchester Unity) began in Manchester in 1810. They were more than a friendly society, they were a community lifeline before there was a welfare state. They offered care in illness, support after loss, and a sense of belonging when life was fragile. At their peak, the society was so influential that when the Liberal Government introduced the National Insurance Act in 1911, they used Oddfellows actuarial data to help calculate contributions and benefits. Holding a book tied to Oddfellows leadership is holding a piece of that generosity and purpose.
The Story of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Oddfellows in Ink
This isn’t just a book, it’s a memento. The inscription “to Provincial Grand Master J.H. Hawkins” transforms it from print to remembrance. We know that presentation copies like this are rare. They give us a window into how community leaders were honoured, and how their contributions were remembered in an era defined by loyalty and mutual aid.
The Things That Make It Extraordinary
A complete first edition, finely bound and richly illustrated
A beautifully preserved inscription; bright, thoughtful, personal
All 58 illustrations intact and free of significant foxing
In overall excellent condition despite its 116-year history
This is more than a collectible. It is a living memory wrapped in leather and ink.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Oddfellows, and You
There’s something profoundly moving about this book. It spoke across time - for me, and I hope it will for you too. It’s about connection, memory, belonging. A reminder that we were, and are, held by communities devoted to care.
The photo can’t show the weight of history, or the feeling that comes with holding something someone once treasured. But I can invite you to experience it yourself.
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