After my mother's passing I came across two unusual items to be in her posession. One was a book published by Reverend F.O. (Francis Orpen) Morris (1810-1893) titled "County Seats of the Nobelmen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, the other by Reverend Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, born in 1810 and passing in 1897. Ironically these two reverends of the time were both born in 1810 and died only 5 years apart living long lives (83 and 87 years) for this period in history.
I can only assume she picked them up at a garage sale that she may have attended as these were quite rare and when I went through them they fascinated me. Both books held several plates typically over 30 in each book with onion paper between the pages. Upon research I found these to be series of 8 books in each publication. Quite the undertaking in this era.
Morris was a notable figure renowned for his contributions to literature, particularly in the fields of natural history and heritage buildings. Seats of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland encompasses detailed descriptions and historical letterpress alongside visual representations of the notable estates across Great Britain and Ireland. It was published in the late 19th century, providing a comprehensive look into the architectural elegance of the country's most esteemed residences, reflecting Morris's interest in the natural and built environment.
The series was initially published in parts between the 1860s
and 1880, offering insights into the historical and architectural significance
of each featured seat, along with illustrative plates. His collaboration
with artists such as Benjamin Fawcett and A.F. Lydon, known for their expertise
in colour printing and engraving. The books I am in possession of have historic beauty and a quality that was present from this time in our history.
Morris also published several illustrated books of plants and insects in the surrounding areas of Great Britain.
Brewer was a notable in the literary and educational fields during the 19th century. He is best known for his comprehensive works that bridged the gap between literature, science, and general knowledge. His most famous work, "Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable," first published in 1870, is still celebrated for its extensive collection of explanations of phrases and fables. Being that the publication is off copyright, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable has been republished and is available on Amazon and Chapters. I have been fortunate enough to have found an original copy in my overseas travels.
These books have been my fuel to discover and acquire some other extremely rare publications.
During a trip to London along the Seine River next to the Tate Museum of Modern Art I stumbled across a market of vendors and at that event I had found several of Morris and Brewer individual plates from the very collection I have being sold for as high as 20 pounds per page. It was at this market I purchase my final two books that completed the collection of each of the Seats of Noblemen and Sketches. My search for the rest of their published work is still one of my quests.
