BUNYAN, John .:
The Elstow Edition – The Pilgrim’s Progress
From this World to that which is to Come, Delivered Under The Similitude Of A Dream. Wherein is discovered the manner of his setting out, his dangerous journey, and safe arrival at the desired country.
London: John Walker and Co. 96 Farringdon Street, E.C., 1881 .
The First Edition. Full black leather binding and wooden boards, hinges carefully strengthened. 8vo. 7.50″ x 5.25″ x 1.50″ . pp.lv.[1p.]/pp.383 . Front board with wooden panel, a sketch of John Bunyan and gilt titles: “Warranted made of the oak taken from Elstow Church Previous to restoration 1880”. Rear board also with a wooden panel and the same warranty. Boards lightly rubbed and bumped. Spine with raised bands, gilt decorated compartments, and gilt titles. All page edges gilt . Original yellow endpapers. Inner hinges carefully strengthened. Previous owners’ names to title-page. Light foxing to first 7 leaves, otherwise clean text and illustrations. Well-illustrated with full page engravings by R. Paterson (Illustrations by W. Gunston and others). A good copy of this scarce book.
Excerpt from the Publisher’s Preface: (Dated December 1880) – “The origin of the Elstow Edition of the “Pilgrim’s Progress” may be briefly told. The ancient Church whose bells Bunyan loved to ring, had long been in a state of dangerous dilapidation, and at Easter of the present year (1880), it was found necessary to replace the roof and to a considerable extent re-build the walls. Most of the wood-work was found unfit for further use ( the oak beams having done duty since 1530), and it was suggested to the Vicar and Churchwardens, that as the old material possessed a value in the eyes of thousands far in excess of its intrinsic worth, it was desirable to utilise it in such a way that the restoration fund might be largely increased, and at the same time an opportunity be given to the public of becoming possessed of a genuine and unique souvenir of the “Immortal Dreamer”.
(Stock ref 53095)