Rev. J. A. Wylie, LL.D. — The History of Protestantism — Complete in Three Volumes — Illustrated
London, Paris & New York: Cassell, Petter & Galpin, undated [late 19th century].
A handsome and substantial complete three-volume Victorian set of the Rev. James Aitken Wylie's celebrated History of Protestantism, extensively illustrated throughout and preserved in the attractive matching publisher's decorative cloth bindings.
Wylie's monumental history traces Protestant Christianity from its medieval precursors through the great European Reformations and their aftermath. It includes extensive accounts of the Waldenses, Wycliffe and the Lollards, John Huss and the Hussite Wars, Martin Luther and the German Reformation, Zwingli and Switzerland, Calvin and Geneva, the Reformation in England and Scotland, John Knox, the Huguenots, the Netherlands, the Thirty Years' War and many other important figures and events.
Wylie writes from a strongly Protestant and Reformed perspective, making this an especially interesting set for collectors of Reformation history, Presbyterianism, church history and Victorian Protestant literature.
The work is profusely illustrated throughout, with hundreds of engravings, including numerous large and full-page historical scenes, portraits, buildings, landscapes and important events in Reformation history.
Among the illustrations visible in this set are scenes relating to Martin Luther and the Reformation and "The Swearing and Subscribing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars' Churchyard, Edinburgh."
All three volumes retain their matching original publisher's decorative cloth bindings.
Rich brown cloth with elaborate blind-stamped and gilt decoration to the front boards and spines, including:
A very attractive example of Victorian publisher's binding and an imposing three-volume set on the shelf.
Volume I: xii + 624 pages + 4-page publisher's catalogue
Volume II: xii + 624 pages + 4-page publisher's catalogue
Volume III: xii + 648 pages, including the General Index + 4-page publisher's catalogue
Complete in three volumes.
Good antiquarian condition overall, with wear commensurate with age and use.
The original cloth bindings show rubbing, scuffing and wear, particularly around the corners, edges and spine ends. There are some marks and areas of surface wear to the boards.
Please note that there is significant weakness/splitting to at least two inner hinges, with the binding material/webbing exposed, as clearly shown in the photographs. The set should therefore be handled with appropriate care.
Internally there is general age toning and occasional spotting, marks and signs of use. The numerous illustrations remain particularly attractive.
Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
Author: Rev. James Aitken Wylie, LL.D. (1808–1890)
Title: The History of Protestantism
Volumes: I–III, complete set
Publisher: Cassell, Petter & Galpin
Place: London, Paris & New York
Date: Undated, late 19th century
Language: English
Format: Illustrated hardbacks in original decorative cloth
Individual volume size: approx. 263 × 200 mm
Combined weight: approx. 4,440 g
Pagination: xii, 624 + 4; xii, 624 + 4; xii, 648 + 4
A substantial and highly decorative Victorian three-volume history of the Protestant Reformation, particularly suitable for collectors of Reformation, Presbyterian and Protestant church history.