Lot 241
English topography
Collection of works, 18th and 19th century
Auction: From the Library of Professor Roland Paxton | 01 October 2026 from 10am | Lots 221 to 252
Description
Charlton, Lionel. The History of Whitby, and of Whitby Abbey. Collected from the Original Records of the Abbey, and Other Authentic Memoirs, Never Before Made Public. York: printed by A. Ward, 1779. First edition, 4to (25.5 x 18.7cm), contemporary half calf, folding plan of town and harbour as frontispiece and 3 other plates, with list of subscribers (ink ownership inscription of original subscriber, Richard Moorsome of Whitby, on front pastedown), joints cracking, spine, boards and corner tips worn [ESTC T148087];
[Macky, John]. A Journey through England. In Familiar Letters from a Gentleman here, to his Friend Abroad. London: printed by J. Roberts, for T. Caldecott, 1714. First edition (one of two 1714 printings), 8vo (19.1 x 11cm), contemporary panelled calf, raised bands, half-title, some spotting to initial and final leaves [ESTC T57747];
Enfield, William. An Essay towards the History of Leverpool [sic], Drawn up from Papers Left by the late Mr. George Perry, and from Other Materials since Collected. London: printed for Joseph Johnson, 1774. Second edition, with additions, folio (34 x 20cm), contemporary paper boards rebacked with later buckram spine, 1 large folding map, 2 folding charts, 9 engraved plates, list of subscribers, uncut, boards worn at extremities, folding plates with linen repairs to folds [ESTC T145378];
Campbell, John. A Political Survey of Britain: being a Series of Reflections on the Situation, Lands, Inhabitants, Revenues, Colonies, and Commerce of this Island. London: printed for the author; and sold by Richardson and Urquhart, 1774. First edition, 4to (28.7 x 21.5cm), contemporary calf rebacked preserving original spine labels, half-titles, boards worn, corner tips bumped [Kress 6997; Goldsmiths' 11082; Sabin 10239; ESTC T90453];
Shaw, Stebbing. A Tour to the West of England, in 1788. London: printed for Robson and Clarke, 1789. First edition, 8vo (21.1 x 13.2cm), contemporary tree calf, raised bands gilt, label of 18th-century Bath circulating library (Bally's) on front pastedown, joints cracking, spine and front board worn [ESTC T149598];
Phillips, M. The Grand Southern Tour of England including the Principal part of the East, West & Inland Counties, Patronised by Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent. [London]: J. Hebner, [1820?]. First edition, large engraved map (102.5 x 182cm) with contemporary wash colouring, dissected and mounted on linen in forty-eight sections, some offsetting, staining and dust soiling, contained in 19th-century slipcase (card lined with black leather);
and 8 others (not collated) (19)
Provenance
From the collection of the late Professor Roland Paxton MBE FICE FRSE (1932-2025), 'Britain's foremost historian of civil engineering' (Telegraph, obituary, 12th November 2025); Professor Paxton was also a leading conservationist of Britain's engineering heritage, and led successful campaigns to restore two of the world's most important railway structures, the Laigh Milton Viaduct in Ayrshire, the world's oldest surviving railway bridge, and the Union Chain Bridge, the world's oldest suspension bridge still carrying road traffic.