1779 – History & Antiquities of Shrewsbury England – Thomas Philips | First Edition, Illustrated

A charming first edition of the History and Antiquities of Shrewsbury. It is beautifully illustrated with views of city landmarks, churches, castles, schools, hospitals, and bridges. Shrewsbury was an important hub during the English Civil War, where royalists took a stronghold. While the title page of this book claims the author as Thomas Phillips, according to multiple sources it was written by James Bowen.

According to Lowndes,

“Phillips’ History was not written by him, but by Mr. Bowen, an Amanuensis of the late W. Mytton, Esqu of Halston. The MS. Was lent to Cheney Hort Esq who unwittingly allowed Phillips to copy it, and who, with some alterations, subsequently printed it. The Dictionary of National Biography states, “This book was to a large extent, the work of a Mr. [James] Bowen of Halston Shropshire” (DNB).

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The History and Antiquities of Shrewsbury
• Author(s): Thomas Phillips; [i.e. James Bowen]
• Publisher: Shrewsbury: printed and sold by T. Wood, G. Robinson
• Edition: First edition, 1779
• Binding: Modern full leather spine with marbled boards
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Size:  10.25 in x 9 in (26 cm x 23 cm)
• Collation: 244, [2] pages
• Illustrations: 14 engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • South View of Shrewsbury taken from Hermitage Coffee House
  • St Julian’s Church
  • North East Front of the Orphan Hospital
  • St. Chad’s Church
  • St Mary’s Church
  • The Free Schools
  • The Cross
  • The Market House
  • The North East View of the Castle
  • The Welsh Bridget
• Provenance: bookplate – Walter Oakley
• Reference(s): Lowndes 1858

Condition:

Very Good. Bound in modern leather with reinforced corners and marbled boards. Spine firm. Pages clean overall with only mild aging. All plates are complete and intact.

Why Collect This?

• First edition with full set of engravings
• Strong appeal for collectors of topographical history

Item Number: #29886