An original mid-Victorian edition of one of the best-known devotional and theological works of Octavius Winslow (1808–1878), an important nineteenth-century evangelical and Reformed author.
This is the sixth edition, enlarged, published in 1853, and is particularly interesting for retaining an original Church of England Book Society presentation label to the front pastedown.
Winslow treats the person and work of the Holy Spirit from a strongly biblical, experiential and practical perspective.
The principal subjects include:
Winslow's purpose is not merely doctrinal exposition but the application of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit to Christian conversion, sanctification, assurance, prayer and the believer's experience of Christ.
Octavius Winslow (1808–1878) was a prominent nineteenth-century evangelical minister and devotional writer whose works remain in print today.
His writings are particularly associated with Reformed, experiential Christianity, combining doctrinal exposition with warm pastoral and devotional application.
The Work of the Holy Spirit remains one of his most enduring books and has continued to be republished into the modern era.
The front pastedown retains an attractive printed presentation label reading:
“Presented by the Church of England Book Society, 11, Adam Street, London.”
The label also names the Society's Treasurer, Frank A. Bevan, Esq., and Secretary, John Shrimpton, Esq.
There are also early manuscript ownership inscriptions to the front endpapers.
This is an appealing piece of Victorian evangelical provenance and suggests that the volume was originally distributed through the Church of England Book Society rather than simply purchased through the ordinary book trade.
Author: Octavius Winslow, D.D.
Title: The Work of the Holy Spirit, Viewed Experimentally and Practically
Edition: Sixth Edition, Enlarged
Publisher: John Farquhar Shaw
Place: London
Date: 1853
Pagination: viii, [2], 413 pages, followed by 8 pages of publisher's advertisements
Size: approximately 180mm × 125mm × 33mm
Weight: approximately 440g
Original Victorian brown cloth binding with blind-stamped decorative borders and central devices to both boards, and gilt title to the spine.
Condition is worn and should be carefully noted.
The original cloth shows considerable age-related wear, fading and marking, including areas of surface loss/abrasion to the boards. Corners and extremities are rubbed and frayed, with wear at the head and foot of the spine.
Importantly, there is significant weakness/splitting at the inner hinges, particularly visible at the front and rear endpapers. The binding remains together, but should be handled with appropriate care.
Internally there is general age toning and occasional spotting/marking. There are some former owner's annotations/underlining in pencil and/or ink, as illustrated.
Original Church of England Book Society presentation label and manuscript ownership inscriptions to the front.
Despite the external wear and weakened binding, this remains an interesting original 1853 copy of an important nineteenth-century evangelical work, with particularly appealing Church of England Book Society provenance.
Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
A worthwhile copy for a collector of Octavius Winslow, Reformed theology, pneumatology, Victorian evangelicalism, Church of England history or nineteenth-century devotional literature.