General Auction Including Antiques, Collectables Gold & Silver (14% Buyers Commission)
A multi-volume set of the History of the Second World War, edited by the prominent military historian Sir Basil Liddell Hart and published by Purnell & Sons Ltd. This series was originally issued as a weekly magazine publication and subsequently collected and bound into these publisher’s editions. The volumes are in a large quarto format, bound in black boards with prominent gilt-toned serif lettering to the front covers and spines. The work is a comprehensive historical record, containing numerous black-and-white archival photographs, tactical maps, and technical diagrams. One volume is displayed open to a page featuring a photograph of a concrete defensive obstacle on the Siegfried Line, marked with the painted graffiti ‘SEE GERMAN AND DIE’. The text is presented in a multi-column layout.
Condition report:
The collection shows signs of age and regular use. The boards exhibit rubbing to the surfaces and edges, with noticeable bumping to the spine ends and corners. The gilt lettering remains largely legible but shows some areas of minor abrasion and fading. Internally, the pages display typical toning and occasional light foxing, particularly to the edges. The binding on the open volume shows some stress and wear to the inner gutters. No dust jackets are present, as issued for this bound edition.
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