Charles Mackay — The Thames and Its Tributaries

London, Richard Bentley, 1840. First edition. Leather. Charles MacKay's very scarce study of the River Thames, the first edition of this illustrated history. The first edition.A very scarce work.Complete in two volumes.A sweeping history of the River Thames, tracing the river from the Thames Head to the North Sea. Each chapter focuses on a different part of the river, which is the longest in England, running through the entirety of London, as well as Oxford, Reading, Windsor, and more. Thus, tracing the history of the Thames offers a vast look at the history England itself, this volume offering tales about Henry VIII's tournament at Durham House, the flight of Queen Mary d'Este, the tragic story of Edwy and Elgiva by Fanny Burney, the Battle of Radcot Bridge, the coronation of Anne Boleyn, Thomas a Becket, and more.Volume I is illustrated with in-text engravings throughout. Collated, bound without the engraved title.Volume II is illustrated with an engraved title, and in-text engravings throughout. Collated, complete. By Charles Mackay, best known for 'Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds&apos. He was the father of fellow author Marie Corelli. In a half morocco binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, smart, light rubbing to the morocco. A few light marks to the boards. Spines are a touch faded. Front hinges are starting but firm. Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. Small chip to the head of the front endpaper of Volume I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with scattered spots. Small tidemark to the engraved title of Volume II. Volume I is bound without the engraved title. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .