The History and Antiquities of Saint David's.
London: J.H. & J. Parker, J. Russell Smith, and J. Petheram, 1856. 21 of 22 tipped-in illustrations by O. Jewitt, engraved by J.H. Le Keux, including one fold-out, plus frontispiece (lacking the Interior Choir). First edition. Contemporary rebind in half calf over marbled paper boards, plain endpapers, uncut edges. Quarto. xii, 400, errata. 11" x 9". Four-page subscription letter bound in front (d. 1898). Heavy rubbing to boards, wear to edges and hinges, moderate foxing throughout. Lacking Interior Choir plate facing page 67. Still a very good, tight and handsome copy. Item #226305
This extensive history of Saint David's by William Basil Jones, a scholar who became Bishop of Saint David's a few years after this publication, covers everything from its natural surroundings to its architecture to its humble beginnings in the sixth century. However, Edward Laws (1837-1913) had still more to say on the subject, for when the text entered into his library, he had some notes to make. As evidenced by the bookplate on the front pastedown showing Laws' ownership and meticulous shelving, this copy once belonged to the Pembrokeshire historian. In a few places throughout the text, but extensively on a couple of pages, Laws adds his own notes about the tile in the presbytery; rectors of Tenby, his home; and references to other texts, among other scribbles. For example, in trying to date some tiles that Jones mentions, Laws writes at the bottom of the page, "...In 1531 Rhys ap Gruffydd [sp?] was beheaded and Carew castle lapsed to the crown, but it was not until 1534 that Thomas Lloyd was made Precentor..."
Bound in to the text is a four-page letter from 1898 by David Howell, Dean of Saint David's at the time, asking for money to support the continuing renovations of the cathedral. The total cost of the work that needed to be done came to 12,000 pounds, which is upwards of 2 million dollars today.
This in-depth history of Saint David's has delightful layers of its own history to dive into.
Price: $350.00