Engraved steel plates from an 1886 Genealogical history of Medway, MA

The Biographical Sketches of Prominent Persons, and the Genealogical Records of Many Early and Other Families in Medway, Mass. 1713-1886 (The Medway Biographies and Genealogies) This 1st edition 1886 rare book is bound in blind stamped burgundy thick buckram cloth with bevelled edges; lettering at front and spine is gilt. Binding loosening a bit, but pages intact. Boards show wear at extremities and spine ends and corners. Illustrated with numerous steel and wood engravings: 12 steel engraved portrait plates, 43 other engraved illustrations including portraits and views of homes and buildings. plates are extremely sharp and crisp, they look and feel as if they were engraved this week rather than 125 years ago. incredibly beautiful. includes biographical sketches of 150 persons, and genealogical data on 550 families. Errata slip tipped in at page 197. some pages coming loose, but still attached. a solid copy, despite its flaws. A former Library of Congress copy, their bookplate is attached to the front inside board. Would be an ideal candidate for a restoration of this important rare historical document. Be aware that recent reprints of this title are available, but the issue with reprints is that the illustrations are usually of extremely poor quality, or even omitted entirely. with a reprint, you will not get the beautiful engravings contained in the original printing like this one. This is a case where you truly get what you pay for. $250.00

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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010

note: blue and red hues are NOT on the engravings themselves, but rather, a side effect of photographing them.