Lincoln – A Historical & Topographical Account of the City
First Edition | 1906 | By Edward Mansel Sympson | Illustrated by Edmund H. New
 
A beautifully bound and illustrated first edition volume from Methuen’s Ancient Cities series, written by Lincoln-born E. Mansel Sympson and brought to life with architectural and landscape illustrations by E. H. New, famed for his work with William Morris and the Kelmscott Press.
 
This richly detailed volume presents the story of Lincoln, one of England’s most historic cathedral cities, from its Roman roots through its medieval independence and ecclesiastical grandeur.
 
Features:
First edition, published Methuen And Co., London in 1906 and printed by T. & A. Constable at the Edinburgh Press.
Illustrated throughout with:
11 full-page plates (including frontispiece)
2 architectural plans
21 vignette illustrations
24 in-text engravings — all present
 
Contents Include:
General history to the Norman Conquest
Medieval development and Lincoln Fair (1217)
Civil and ecclesiastical history to modern times
In-depth study of the Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, Parish Churches, Castle & Bail, and monastic institutions
Detailed municipal governance structure
Full appendices
 
Historical Context:
Lincoln, once the Roman settlement Lindum Colonia, became a cathedral city of such political and economic weight that, by the 14th century, it was almost a commonwealth unto itself. As a county corporate, it governed independently, with its own sheriffs, laws, and tax system. This unique civic status makes Lincoln a rare and fascinating subject for local historians and collectors.
 
Binding & Condition:
Original gilt-tooled red cloth boards with striking decorative illustration and title to spine
Binding sound with minor wear to corners, edges, and spine ends
Spine lightly faded
No dust jacket
Ex Libris plate for Raymond E. Elliott of Horncastle on front pastedown
Ink inscription on front endpaper: Eric Sharpe, 1906
Minor surface marks, light foxing, occasional very small creases — all internal pages clean, legible, and tightly bound
Page edges roughly cut as per traditional bookbinding methods of the period
Very light gutter cracking between a few sections only — entirely secure
 
Dimensions:
Height: 19.5 cm
Width: 13.1 cm
Spine width: 3.9 cm
Weight: approx. 605 g