OT - Some 18th century things (large pics)

Sylvestius

Some might have noticed i've got a bit of a thing for all things 18th century, well it's not just coins.


Here's a few written documents from that century that i managed to acquire.

From a rather important year, the year 1793. France in turmoil, Louis XVI getting adjusted to life without a head and the US starts issuing it's first coinage.

Here's the frontispiece of a book published in 1793, giving a totally unbiased account on religion. (As it happens the Græco/Roman Religion is also my religion so i can't help but find this amusing). [Hopefully you can read it, if not i can type it out.]






Going a little further back, here's one for Æthelred out very own deadking. Dated 1755.





and the dedication...





(Prince George of course would become king George III of England)



to put the book further into context here's the name of the previous owner;





and here's a quick snapshot of the modern French history;





And to finish off with to experience the full 18th century experience one must get acquainted with copperplate handwriting, as shewn on this land indenture (this is a copy made in 1743 from an original drawn up in 1688). Note the rather perculiar letter 'e', it took me a while to figure that one out.







Well that's all i've got at the moment.

Sylvestius

Sorry about the sheer size! Eeek (yes i'm on dialup so it took a while for me!)

a2labmom

WOW! Incredible.

GDJMSP

<< <i> Note the rather perculiar letter 'e', it took me a while to figure that one out. >>




Hmmmmm - the e gave you trouble ?? What about the typeface for s ?? Good God !! - looks like an f to me.

Danegeld

Neat

Sylvestius

<< <i>

<< <i> Note the rather perculiar letter 'e', it took me a while to figure that one out. >>




Hmmmmm - the e gave you trouble ?? What about the typeface for s ?? Good God !! - looks like an f to me. >>




I've read alot of 18th century (and early 19th century) documents where the medial s is used so i didn't have a problem with that. In fact you might find it interesting to view the US constitution and other early US documents from the 1770-1810 period, this was the period when the long s was in decline. More forward thinking members had seen the way ahead and dropped the long s altogether, i believe though i can't say for certain that Thomas Jefferson had abandoned the practice, whereas other more conservative drafters of the US Constitution continued to use it.


Be warned i do occasionally use the long S (f) myself in my own writing especially when writing fast, especially when signing off letters to friends, it's nearly always fylvefter or fimon.

Aethelred

Neat stuff, what does a common book from the 1700s sell for?

GDJMSP

<< <i>

Be warned i do occasionally use the long S (f) myself in my own writing especially when writing fast, especially when signing off letters to friends, it's nearly always fylvefter or fimon. >>





Always knew you were weird

Sylvestius

<< <i>Neat stuff, what does a common book from the 1700s sell for? >>




Well the 1793 volue is one of four (only pocket size), there should have been six of them but two are missing. The condition is not very good as the covers have most come off or are already separated. The books were well used. I got those four for £35. (This was an ebay purchase)

The 1755 book is intact and came from an extensive 18th century book collection. The book however was one of the cheaper pieces (i mean some of the books that came with it were worth £1000+ on their own, many were in the £500 above range). This one however due to some marginal worming at one point in the past was reduced, and i got it for £40. (This was from the bookshop in York near the minster)

The 18th century document i got on ebay (this is the kind of thing i do use ebay for) it came from a company in Nottingham that specialises in selling antique documents ranging from 17th century through to the Victorian. This cost me about £35 too.


I do have many other old books, both bought from antiquarian book stores or ebay.

Including a first edition 1841 Edward Hawkins 'Silver Coins of England' which is a two volume piece, first volume is the info and second volume is the plates. This was also from York and cost me £35.


I like first editions, i also bought a first edition Martin Chuzzelwit (check spelling) that cost; more.