[ALDERLEY EDGE.]
Alderley Edge and its Neighbourhood.
Macclesfield, J. Swinnerton, [1843].
8vo, pp. [4 (blank)], 69, [3 (blank)], with 4 lithographic plates; wood-engraved vignette to title, head- and tailpieces; a very good, clean copy in contemporary dark green cloth, upper board lettered in gilt; headcap frayed, corners slightly bumped, a few light scuffs; ink inscription ‘Presented to the Library of the Archæological Institute. by Albert Way. April 23. 1849’ to front pastedown (see below).
First edition of this locally printed collection of legends, people, and sites of interest around Alderley Edge, Cheshire, with an inscription to the library of the (later Royal) Archaeological Institute from the Institute’s principal founder Albert Way.
The lively narration of Alderley Edge and its Neighbourhood illustrates the area for visitors, combining local history and archaeology with ‘such lore as has been collected in years past from the oldest and most intelligent of the Inhabitants’ (preface), accompanied by four attractive lithographic plates. The volume ends with the anonymous arthurianesque poem The Legend of the Iron Gates, which would later inspire the Alderley-raised author Alan Garner.
Provenance:
The volume is inscribed to the Archaeological Institute by its principal founder, the prominent antiquarian Albert Way (1805–1874), Director of the Society of Antiquaries (1842-46) and Honorary Secretary to the British Archaeological Association (1843-45). In 1844 he married Emmeline Stanley (1809–1906), daughter of John Thomas Stanley, first Baron Stanley of Alderley, whose family is discussed at length in the penultimate chapter of the book.
