Early History of the Falls of the Schuylkill, Manayunk; Schuylkill and Lehigh Navigation Companies; Fairmount Waterworks, Etc. 

by Charles Valerius Hagner

A very scarce 1869 copy with extremely rare signature. Signed by Charles Valerius Hagner (1796-1878) at top of title page as part of an inscription to Caleb Cope, notable local citizen and lawyer. Text was written based on two lectures presented at the schoolroom of St Davids Church, Manayunk, PA. 

The text traces notable persons, places and events in a region that is now mostly encompassed by the western portions of Philadelphia, PA. At this time, it was fairly well removed from the more developed and "civilized" areas. Includes a section on Joseph Montelier for whom there is a light-hearted b/w illustration. 102 pages. 5.5" by 8.5". 

Published by Claxton, Remsen, and Haffelfinger. Philadelphia, PA. 1869. 

Hardback is overall in GOOD-- condition.

• Brown cloth boards feature gilt lettering, with significant dampstains across much of the boards, as well as edgewear including exposed board at corners. 
• Spine features gilt lettering, and is sunned, stained and rubbed, with missing spine ends. Please see photos. 
• Binding is firm. 
• Front shoulder is cracked from head to halfway down length of book.
• A portion of endpaper (about 2"w X .5"h) is affixed to front pastedown near foot of hinge. A portion of endpaper is torn. Following ffeps are securely affixed about 1/2" wide along length of gutter.
• Overall, endpapers exhibit small white stains and scuffing.
• Hinges are fully cracked, yet secure to spine. Please see photos.  
• An educated guess might imply that the book was exposed to water/liquid, and along with significant wear, merited a binding repair by a less-than-experienced hand.
• Frontispiece is a vibrant B&W with some mostly marginal staining in addition to overall toning. Faint shadow of ink inscription on facing title page can be seen. Please see photos. 
• Title page bears signature and inscription in aged brown ink and shows faint stains. Please see photos
• Interior is gently toned with minimal foxing scattered throughout.
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Head of text shows faded ink dye; all edges show some commensurate age and dirt.
• Book may exhibit additional minor signs of age or wear.
• JS20170925

AS IS! Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

International first class shipping includes a handling charge to cover insurance.

Domestic orders over $250 include a handling charge to cover signature confirmation.

#panoplybooks #rarebooks #bookboutique #collectiblebooks #antiquebooks #vintagebooks #bookstore