The Records of St Bartholomew's, Smithfield

1921, first edition in 2 volumes, both signed by Montessori School founder and educationalist Phyllis Wallbank

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Printing Details

First edition. Two volumes, complete. Hardback, bound in the original blue cloth with gilt titling to spine and printed titling and design to upper board. Each 26.5 × 17.5cm, lvi + 557pp, xix + 618pp.

Both volumes have been signed Phyllis Wallbank and Reggie Adda. Phyllis Wallbank (1918–2020) was a British educationalist who in 1948 founded the first all-age Montessori School in England, and the Gatehouse Learning Centre (named after the gatehouse of St Bartholomew's Priory). Regina (Reggie) Adda (1923–2004) was a close friend and colleague. Volume one is in Wallbank's hand, volume 2 is in both.

Full title: The Records of St Bartholomew's Priory and of the Church and Parish of St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield

A comprehensive history of the church, priory and parish of St Bartholomew in Smithfield in the City of London, it also known as St-Barts-the-Great. Volume one concentrates on the history from its foundation in the twelfth century as an Augustinian priory, through the tumultuous sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and up to the Victorian age, and includes a chapter on Bartholomew Fair. Volume two looks at the architecture, the monastic buildings, the parish, the rectors and the monuments. Appendices include Royal and other charters, abstracts of wills, architects' reports. Both volumes are illustrated throughout with maps, plans, photographs.

Condition

Both books are in very good condition for age. There is light foxing to the prelims but the main body of text is in very good condition with clean pages and secure binding (a good number of pages are uncut, ie unopened from the time of printing). The rear board of volume one suffers from some sun fading but otherwise a good, solid set.