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Brand, John.
The History and Antiquities of the Town and County of the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne, Including an Account of the Coal Trade of That Place and Embellished with Engraved Views of the Publick Buildings Etc.
Publisher: B White & Son and T & L Egerton, London;
Date of Publication: 1789
Stock Code: 12075
First and only edition. Two volumes. Quartos, pp., [xvi], 676, [4]; 723, [9]. Engraved title-pages to each volume, 32 engraved plates as called for of which 12 are fold-out including panorama view of Newcastle and multifold engraved plan by Ralph Beilby; numerous illustrations in text; complete with the additional unlisted plate of a brass monument to volume I. "The woodcuts in the text of Roman Altars, inscriptions etc are all by Thomas Bewick" (Hugo). Superb full contemporary tree calf, with gilt titles to black title labels, love green volume labels & gilt embellishments to spine.
Very minor wear to corners. Clippings from the Gentleman’s Magazine April 1791 and November 1778 to front paste-down Vol I referring to Newcastle’s trade and buildings, and engraving of the seal of the Corporation of Newcastle. Scattered light foxing and some offsetting,; small mark from removed paperclip to verso ffep/recto of frontispiece Vol I. An unusually clean copy in a a completed unrestored, handsome contemporary binding. The cornerstone history of the Town, unsurpassed arguably even by Welford's three volume history of 1884. John Brand (1744–1806) clergyman and antiquary, was one of Newcastle's most prominent 18th century sons. Educated at the Newcastle Royal Grammar School he was originally from very humble origins although he rose to become Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries and secretary and librarian to the Duke of Northumberland himself. Printed in a generous run of 1,000 copies his history was at the time widely criticized as being dull, too detailed and parochial—it certainly lacked the vivacity and anecdotal detail to be found in Bourne. It was deeply conservative and supportive of the Corporation at a time when the town's oligarchy was being subjected to persistent attack. However, today it is highly valued for the wealth of erudition and research that it contains. Upon his death in 1807 Brand's library was auctioned off, the auction lasting over thirty-seven days with the sale of the 8611 lots raising over £17,000. The finest set of Brand’s Newcastle we have handled. Heavyweight so a contribution towards increased postage costs will be requested for overseas delivery. £600.00