1847 Church of England History — St Bees College Leather Prize Binding, 1852

Thomas Vowler Short, D.D. Sketch of the History of the Church of England to the Revolution 1688. Fifth edition. London: John W. Parker, 1847.

Attractive period brown full-leather binding with gilt borders, an elaborately decorated spine with raised bands, and the gilt arms of St Bees Theological College on the front cover. Blue marbled endpapers.

Presented to Alfred Ethelwolf Marshall at St Bees College as a First Class Prize, Easter Term 1852, with an inscription signed “R. Parkinson D.D., Principal.”

Marshall subsequently became a Church of England clergyman in Suffolk. Crockford’s Clerical Directory for 1868 identifies him as a St Bees “1st cl. Prizeman,” closely matching this presentation. He served at Woodbridge before becoming curate of Rendlesham in 1858.

An armorial bookplate reading “Revᵈ A. Marshall” provides further supporting evidence of his ownership.

Condition: Leather shows rubbing, scratches, discoloration and wear at the corners and spine ends. Spine title label appears absent. Some age toning and spotting are visible on the photographed leaves. Final numbered page is 656.

An appealing Victorian theological college prize book with a dated presentation inscription. Please examine all photographs.