Tree Calf Prize Binding
Written In English
Published in 1905 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Wellington: Soldier and Statesman and the Revival of the Military Power of England by William O’Connor Morris is a comprehensive biography of Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington. It traces his military ascent during the Napoleonic Wars, his pivotal role in the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, and his later contributions as a political figure in British government. Morris, an Oxford scholar, wrote at a time when the British Empire was reflecting on its legacy and ideals, using Wellington as a model of discipline, leadership, and national strength. The book places Wellington’s influence within the broader context of Britain’s evolving military tradition and aims to reassert the importance of strategic leadership in a changing world.
This particular edition is notable for its elegant and highly decorative prize binding. The book is bound in polished tree calf leather, known for its intricate grain pattern, and framed with fine gilt tooling on both the covers and spine. A red leather spine label stamped in gold identifies the title and author, and the cover bears the gold emblem of the Summer Fields school, surrounded by the Latin motto Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (“a healthy mind in a healthy body”). The blue and cream marbled text block edges and marbled endpapers further elevate the book’s presentation. Inside, an inscription dated 1911 awards the book to a student named M. de Toby as a Greek Prize, adding a personal touch and linking the volume to its scholastic roots. A frontispiece engraving of Wellington on horseback, after a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, adds visual interest to the front matter.
Condition:
Condition-wise, the book is exceptionally well preserved. The leather binding is rich in tone and texture, with only minor wear near the corners and edges. The gilt decoration remains vibrant, and the marbled edges show only light fading. Internally, the pages are clean and legible with only modest foxing near the preliminaries and the frontispiece. The binding is tight and secure, with no visible loose pages or breaks. Altogether, this is a handsome, historically significant volume with both scholarly merit and aesthetic refinement, making it a collector-worthy piece of Edwardian-era craftsmanship.
