A Parochial History of St. Mary Bourne, with an Account of the Manor of Hurstbourne Priors Hants
By Joseph Stevens / Published 1888 / Illustrated / Original Cloth Binding
 
Features
 
Date: 1888 (latest issue, with inserted addenda for 1895)
Publisher: Whiting and Co., 30 and 32 Sardinia Street, London
Binding: Original green cloth boards and spine, with gilt titles on front board and spine, and the date "1888" to spine
Illustrations: 16 plates (all present) including frontispiece, and facing pages 18, 23, 30, 45, 52, 62, 64, 70, 194, 203, 205, 206, 242, 246, and 291
Pages: viii + 380 pp.
Size: Approx. 30.2 cm x 20.6 cm x 4.5 cm
Weight: Approx. 1740g
 
Condition
 
Binding & Boards
The green cloth binding remains intact and robust. Gilt titles are clear on both the front board and spine. There is discolouration and several stains to the spine and boards, with rubbing and bumping to the corners and edges, as expected for a large 19th-century volume. Overall, it remains structurally sound and presents handsomely on the shelf.
Interior
Pages: Most pages are clean and unmarked, with many still uncut—particularly in the Preface and list of illustrations—highlighting the book’s minimal handling.
Paper Condition: Light general toning, with darker tanning to endpapers and pastedowns.
Marks: Predominantly clean; occasional very light marks that do not obscure text or illustrations.
Creases: Some light creasing, minimal and limited in occurrence.
Rips: A few pages have small tears to the outer margins—minor and not affecting text or readability.
Binding: Tight overall. A very light crack at the gutter between pages 192–193, but the binding is secure and there are no loose pages.
Ownership Inscriptions: A pen inscription to the front free endpaper. It begins: “To the Rev’d & Mrs Painter, a token of remembrance from Agnes Mary Cane.”
Provenance: No bookplates present.
 
Historical and Bibliographic Context
 
This comprehensive local history of the parish of St. Mary Bourne—alongside the manor of Hurstbourne Priors—offers invaluable insight into the ecclesiastical and social development of these Hampshire communities. Written by the Reverend Joseph Stevens, an antiquarian with a keen sense of place, this work draws together parish records, oral histories, and topographical observation. The book was published by Whiting and Co., a notable Victorian publisher based in London, and this edition is enhanced by 16 detailed illustrations.
Of note is the inserted printed slip referencing the latest addenda (dated 1895), making this copy a desirable and complete issue of the work.
 
Additional Notes
 
This is a large and weighty volume at nearly 2kg and is seldom found complete with all illustrations and the inserted addenda leaf. The presence of uncut pages and inscriptions further enhances its historical appeal.
Please examine the photographs provided for full details of the contents and condition.