1889 THE LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME by Lord Macaulay. “VERY RARE “MUSEUM EDITION”. Where ONLY SEVENTY-FIVE COPIES WERE ISSUED FOR SALE. 
 
Antiquarian FULL LEATHER Book. 
 
With Ivry and the Armada. ILLUSTRATED WITH A PORTRAIT frontispiece, together 
with a protective sheet. 
 
In full brown LEVANT MOROCCO with panelled boards, raised bands and broad gilt-decorated turn-ins.
 
Published in 1889 by William W. Gibbings, 18, Bury Street, London. Printed by Chiswick Press: - C. Whittingham And Co., Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London. 
 
This is a VERY RARE LEATHER “MUSEUM EDITION” of this wonderful book. 
 
With Pp.167 (plus preface), all edges gilt, and marble patterned pastedowns. 
 
This is a lovely example of this book, well kept, and an overall very neat and clean copy, which is tightly bound. Please read the description below for further details. 
 
Thomas Babington Macaulay was born in 1800 at Rothley Temple in Leicestershire. He was a great historian and essayist.
 
The Lays of Ancient Rome is a collection of poetic works by Thomas Babington Macaulay. First published in 1842, the collection consists of a collection of narrative poems that retell legends and stories from the early history of ancient Rome.
 
This does not have a Dust Jacket. 
 
This is bound in a full brown Levant Morocco leather over boards. It has panelled boards, with raised bands on the spine. There is gilt lettering on the spine with the book title and date.  The cover is intact and robust, and in a very good condition for a book which is nearly 140 years old. There is just light wear to the cover. Please see the photographs which I have provided for further reference. 
 
Inside, the pages bright for their age, and overall, very neat and clean given that they are nearly 140 years old, and uncreased. There are no rips on the pages, and they are tightly bound and secure. There is an Eton stamp on the half title page and on the front flyleaf there is a pen inscription and a little pencil. The pen inscription states “Robert Bruce. Eton Easter 1898” and I believe there is also written the Latin phrase: honoris causa ("for the sake of the honour"). There are no further pen or pencil marks written in this book. There are no missing pages, and so all 167 pages are present. 
 
Please study the photos carefully as to the condition of this book, as they do form part of the description. 
 
This is a small book and measures approximately 15.4 cm by 9.8 cm and 2.1 cm wide. It weighs approximately 251 grams. 
 
Thank you so much for looking.