William Loftie — Westminster Abbey

London, Seeley and Co, 1890. Cloth. A fully illustrated history to Westminster Abbey, written by the clergyman William Loftie, and illustrated by Herbert Railton. William Loftie was a clergyman, who wrote extensively about the history of London and architecture. After working at various churches, he came to write for the 'Saturday Review' and 'National Observer&apos. His other publications include 'The Latin Year', 'Views in the English Lake District', and 'The Cathedral Churches of England and Wales&apos. The majority of illustrations are by Herbert Railton, a leading illustrator of books and magazine. He originally trained to become an architect, but after one of his drawings of a railway accident was published in a magazine in 1881, his illustrating career took off. He illustrated editions of various books by Henry Fielding, Thomas Hood, and another of Loftie's books, 'The Inns of Court and Chancery&apos. Railton's wife and son also become illustrators. With a frontispiece, eleven plates, and sixty-three in-text vignettes. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, smart. Bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities, causing a little loss. Minor marking and shelfwear to the boards. Hinges are starting but remain firm. Some creasing to the paper to the front pastedown. Internally, generally firmly bound. Prior owner's ink inscription to the half title page, 'May & Virginia Hoffman, from .. Xmas 1889&apos. Pages are bright and generally clean, with just the odd spot throughout, mostly to the plates and tissue guards. Very Good . Ill.: Herbert Railton. Very Good .