"Edited by Charles Knight and revised by Edward Walford, Knight's London & Timbs' Curiosities forms part of the great Victorian project to document, explain, and celebrate the historical fabric of London in all its complexity. Drawing on Knight's original London and John Timbs' immensely popular antiquarian writings, this work blends topographical history, architectural description, and anecdotal scholarship to create a richly layered portrait of the metropolis as it stood in the nineteenth century, while constantly looking back to its Roman, medieval, and early modern foundations.
The text is enhanced throughout by finely executed illustrations on steel and wood, including maps, city views, architectural details, and historical scenes, many of which are integral to understanding London's docks, streets, institutions, and social life. This undated Virtue & Company edition, dating to around 1875, represents a revised and corrected state "to the present time," reflecting late-Victorian historical sensibilities. The inclusion of Divisions 3, 4, 7, and 10, along with twelve plates and vignettes, gives the volume particular strength in its coverage, while the presence of many uncut pages adds notable bibliographic appeal.
Taken together, the work stands as both a serious historical reference and a compelling piece of Victorian book production, combining scholarship, illustration, and physical presence. It captures the era's fascination with urban history and the belief that London's past could be systematically recorded for an expanding reading public, making this an especially desirable example for collectors of nineteenth-century London history, Victorian illustrated books, and works appealing to admirers of urban archaeology and historical topography."
Divisions are presented well with light wear, minor tears etc to covers and spines as shown. No loose pages. No inscriptions. Many pages uncut. Note that these are divisions only, they are partial works of a broader set. They do however contain many complete articles and chapters along with the 12 plates including 2 vignettes. Pages generally clean and well presented. Please study photos to further understand condition.
Size 26cm x 17.5cm x 2cm (x 4 volumes)
