RARE The Autographic Mirror Vol II - Large Victorian Book of Signed Letters

(Book of Printed Letters / Autographs)

AKA L’ Autographe Cosmopolite. 116 pages.

A fascinating hardback book to read, with broad sheet sized pages on which is printed the contents of letters sent by some very esteemed gentleman from history. In their own hand and signed. Then printed in book form. Wonderful subject matter and content.

Lithographed by Vincent Brooks, Chandos, St Charing Cross / Office: 13, Burleich St. Strand, London.

Large green book with embossed and gold leaf decoration to front and gilding to edges of pages.

Original retailer label pasted inside : S.F. Widdrington.

The book is an interesting collection of now historical letters, with the senders' actual signatures. They are printed, so copies, but still of interest if you collect autographs and would like to know what the signatures should look like. Lots of historical content in letters for historians, academics and period drama researchers. There are also some wonderful illustrations to admire too, adding extra interest.

There is a name written inside the book in black ink. It looks like: ‘D Wildrington from Mrs Whitmore’, which is in a handwriting style typical of the period.

This item will be of particular interest to anyone learning how to read old writing, as there are lots of examples from different periods and figures of importance in terms of literature and the events of the day.

See photograph showing index for everything included in this volume; volume two of the publication. I believe that there were four volumes in total produced, back in the day. It is an original and impressively large-paged Victorian book, measuring 41 x 30 x 1.75 cm.

The book is in very good condition for its age. The spine is intact and it is complete with all of its pages, which are still attached and without notable tears. There is some foxing to some pages, notably its index, otherwise a nice clean copy. Understandably, some wear to the cover and its coating is evident, and there is typically curling to the corners. All round, though, a pretty good example of this rare book. 

Please study photographs showing the condition of this book, and the contents to expect. There is much that will no doubt be of interest (from looking at the index). Too much to fully represent. I have done by best, although the highlights will be different for different people, depending on their topics of interest.

This is now a rare and collectable book. Undoubtedly, a book of the most famous from history.