Triumphs of Modern Engineering – Frith – Illustrated Leather Special School Edn
 
Title
 
The Triumphs of Modern Engineering
Henry Frith
Special Full Leather Holborn Estate Grammar School Prize Binding, c. 1897 or earlier
 
Overview
 
A richly illustrated late-Victorian engineering survey by Henry Frith, presented here in a handsome full-leather school prize binding for Holborn Estate Grammar School. With numerous full-page plates, a fine gilt school emblem, marbled edges, and decorative gilt turn-ins, this is a particularly attractive example with documented provenance to Sidney Davis, 1897.
 
Published by Griffith, Farran, Okeden & Welsh, London & Sydney, and printed by Woodfall and Kinder, Long Acre, London.
 
This undated edition must pre-date 1897, based on the original prize plate.
 
Features & Illustrations
 
Includes an engraved frontispiece and full-page illustrations facing pages:
26, 30, 72, 129, 148, 161, 163, 165, 180, 191, 195, 210, 259, 261, 317.
Chapters cover:
Railways & locomotives
Tunnels & subways
Bridges & viaducts
Canals & waterways
Other Victorian feats of engineering
 
Binding & Physical Description
 
Full smooth dark red leather
Large gilt emblem: Holborn Estate Grammar School
Decorative gilt borders
Panelled spine with gilt decorations; partial title still visible
All edges marbled
Gilt decorative turn-ins
Marbled endpapers and pastedowns
Prize label to Sydney Davis, Fifth Form Prize for English, 1897
Dimensions: 18.8 × 13 × 3.4 cm
Weight: 661 g
Pagination: 323 pp. (complete)
 
Condition Report (Detailed)
 
Exterior Condition
Full leather binding is strong and fully intact
Gilt school emblem bright and well-preserved
Light scratches and patches of rubbing to the boards
Rubbing to edges and corners; small areas of wear
Spine shows fading with remnants of the gilt title still visible
Joints sound
Marbled page edges clean and attractive
Decorative gilt turn-ins bright
 
Interior Condition
Pages lightly tanned with a pleasing antique tone
Prize plate to Sydney Davis, dated 1897
Occasional scattered foxing, heavier at endpapers and title page
A few tiny inner-margin rips at front hinge (minimal)
Light rubbing to edges of pp. 158–159 (text unaffected)
Very light & partial hairline cracks at:
pp. 64–65
pp. 304–305
near p. 320
pp. 322–323
(all remain fully secure)
pp. 321–322 slightly loose at lower inner margin but still firmly attached
Pages overall clean, neat, and largely uncreased
All 323 pages present and checked
 
Historical & Bibliographic Notes
 
Henry Frith (1840–1917) was a prolific Victorian popular science writer and translator, known for clear, accessible engineering texts.
Prize bindings like this were produced in limited numbers for specific schools, making each example unique.
Holborn Estate Grammar School / St. Clement Danes was a significant London educational institution; bindings from this school are uncommon and collectable.
The undated nature of this issue is typical for Griffith, Farran school editions; the 1897 prize plate provides a firm terminus ante quem.