BRITISH & IRISH TOPOGRAPHY BOOKS AT HORNSEYS

Welcome to Hornseys, where trading in rare and second-hand books has been an integral part of our gallery business for many years. By specializing in being general, our collection spans diverse fields, including the decorative arts, architecture, maps and atlases, fine printing and bindings, T.E. Lawrence, travel, local topography and exploration, natural history (including the Collins New Naturalist Series), gardening and botany, artist’s editions, important signed books, modern first editions, and children’s illustrated books. We are always interested in buying single items or entire libraries in these subjects. Please contact us for more details.

FEATURED BRITISH & IRISH TOPOGRAPHY BOOKS:

ANNUAL REPORT AND LIST OF MEMBERS 1893-1898: AN UNBROKEN RUN OF THE FIRST SIX REPORTS. COPY OF THE ORIGINAL VICE-PRESIDENT: £295.00
Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club: Published by Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club, UK, 1883-98. First editions thus. Original wrappers bound in contemporary green cloth, upper board with blocked design in black depicting mountaineers, with club motif to lower board by Goodall & Suddick of Leeds. Top edge gilt, the remainder untrimmed. Size: 16cm x 23.7cm. Bound with Charles Pilkington’s ‘Mountaineering without Guides. The Conclusion of a Lecture to the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club, given on October 27th, 1896’ published in Leeds by J. Whitehead & Son, 1897 which also retains its original printed wrappers. Other ephemera relating to the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club is also bound in including a copy of a letter from Edward Whymper accepting the offer of becoming an honorary member of the club, an original copy of the club rules from 1892 with a card containing a list of the original members, a folding sheet advertising an 1895 lecture by Hermann Woolley titled ‘The Alps of the Central Caucasus’ and a few other cuttings. The Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club was formed in 1892, only the second English mountaineering club after the Alpine Club. This collection of reports and ephemera formerly belonged to Lewis Moore, one of the original members listed in the first report, and bears his name to the front blank and to the verso of the front endpaper. There are numerous neat annotations made by Moore throughout the reports, often adding more information about a climb, most notably in the report for 1894-95 in which he refers to new work being done in the Alps, the examination of Manchester Hole and the preparatory work done by members of the club for Martel’s first descent of Gaping Ghyll. Moore has neatly added the names of those involved. Binding nice and firm. Pages very nice and clean. Spine very slightly sunned with minor fraying of the cloth to the base. A very good indeed, tight, clean copy of a unique early account of this famous club.

THE FOREST, ASHDOWN IN EAST SUSSEX INSCRIBED BY CHRISTOPHER MILNE: £795.00
Willard, Barbara Introduced By Milne, Christopher: Published by Sweethaws Press, Poundgate, UK, 1989. First edition. Original cloth. Dustwrapper. Size: 15.8cm x 23.7cm. pp. 232. A history of Ashdown Forest over six hundred years including references to A.A. and C.R. Milne and ‘Winnie The Pooh’. A.A. Milne would take his son Christopher there and the setting of ‘Hundred Acre Wood’ for the ‘Winnie The Pooh’ stories was inspired by their time spent in this forest. Ernest H. Shepard, the illustrator of the stories, would also base many of his illustrations for the books upon the landscapes of the forest. This extraordinary association copy is inscribed by Christopher Milne in the year of publication to his cousin, Marjorie: ‘To Marjorie, With lots of birthday love from Christopher, August 23rd, 1989’. ‘Marjorie’ was A.A. Milne’s niece, whom he preferred to call ‘Margery’. From birth she was the recipient of many letters from her affectionate uncle many years before he began writing stories for children: “My Dear Margery, – When I heard that you really had arrived, I got out the broken teacup, filled it at the bath, and drank “To my niece!” with the greatest enthusiasm possible. Had I been on the stage I should then have hurled the cup over my shoulder; and later on the scene-shifter would have come and collected the bits. As it was, I left that part out; and you will forgive me, will you not, dear baby, when you hear that it was your uncle’s last cup, and he in a bad way financially.” (From ‘The Day’s Play’, A.A. Milne, 1910). A.A. Milne’s correspondence with Marjorie would continue for many years and he would ask her to type up his writings to send to ‘Punch’ as he was concerned that they would recognise his handwriting. ‘Margery’ became Marjorie Murray-Rust who would refer to Christopher Milne as ‘a shy but thoroughly brave man, attentive to his family and deeply concerned about conservation’. Christopher Milne would refer to Marjorie as ‘Chief Librarian and Keeper of the Archives’ and the two were very close. Marjorie knew more than anyone that despite Christopher’s professed dislike of the Pooh stories, he had great love for Ashdown Forest and indeed his father. He was present for the opening of a reinforced ‘Poohsticks’ bridge in 1979 and helped a successful campaign in the 1980s by the local council to buy Ashdown Forest to save it from private developers. A very near fine, tight, clean copy in near fine, slightly creased and rubbed dustwrapper. A unique and extraordinary association copy.

WHY CHOOSE HORNSEYS?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our book collection is meticulously curated to ensure that each edition is a valuable and authentic piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every book is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each book is selected with a keen eye for significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, books may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and books must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:
Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of fine, rare and signed books. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and collectors since 1976.

Thank you for looking.