Old Nottinghamshire Briscoe 1881 First Series Leather Gilt
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
 
Old Nottinghamshire
Edited by John Potter Briscoe, F.R.H.S.
Published 1881
First Series
London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.
Nottingham: Norris & Cokayne, The Poultry
Printed by Norris and Cokayne, Nottingham
 
Frontispiece dated 1845: “A Bit of Old Nottingham” with tissue guard.
Handwritten in ink on imprint page: “No. 3”
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
 
Issued in 1881, Old Nottinghamshire was conceived to preserve important antiquarian essays originally published in the Nottingham Daily Guardian. Briscoe sought to consolidate emerging research and challenge earlier local histories, incorporating newly accessible archival material.
 
Rather than replace established county histories, this volume acts as a scholarly corollary; correcting, supplementing, and expanding Nottinghamshire’s recorded past.
It represents late Victorian confidence in documentary history and regional scholarship.
 
About the Author
 
John Potter Briscoe (1848–1926) was Principal Librarian of Nottingham and a leading Victorian antiquarian, deeply involved in regional historical scholarship and literary societies.
 
He is still celebrated today for his contributions to Midlands local history.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
 
A handsome Victorian quarter leather binding with red cloth boards.
Brown leather spine
Gilt spine lettering: Old Nottinghamshire and Briscoe
Small black and gilt crest to front board
Motto: “Vivit Post Funera Virtus”
Top edge gilt
 
Condition:
Soft bumping to corners, light rubbing to leather, minor fading to rear board, light edge wear. Structurally robust and highly presentable.
 
Excellent shelf appeal.
 
Interior Condition
 
Dark pastedowns and endpapers.
Pages very lightly toned.
Light foxing visible to page edges when closed.
Occasional very light foxing or small marks internally, not affecting text.
Very occasional small edge rip including inner margin of front free endpaper (minimal).
Rectangular mark to front pastedown where bookplate once present.
Light pencil remnants on preliminary leaves.
All pages secure.
Very light partial gutter crack at final preface page.
 
All xvi + 151 pages present.
 
Illustrations complete and accounted for.
 
Physical Details
 
xvi + 151 pages
Approx. 23.4 x 19.5 x 2.3 cm
Weight: approx. 651g
Rarity & Collector Notes
 
While not formally limited, copies in quarter leather with top edge gilt are increasingly scarce in such clean condition.
 
The handwritten “No. 3” adds intriguing association, particularly as it appears in the same hand as the signed limited Second Series.
 
A desirable Victorian county history volume.
 
Provenance
 
Ink “No. 3” to imprint page.
Handwriting appears consistent with inscription in companion Second Series.
Companion volume (Second Series, 1884, Limited No. 3 Signed) available separately.