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William Beveridge's copy of London Past and Present, with amorial bookplates to front pastedowns
William Beveridge's copy of London Past and Present, with amorial bookplates to front pastedowns
William Beveridge's copy of London Past and Present, with amorial bookplates to front pastedowns

founder of the welfare state's copy


WHEATLEY, Henry B.

London Past and Present its History, Associations, and Traditions.... based upon the Hand Book of London by the late Peter Cunningham.

London, John Murray, 1891.

$685.00
$685.00

London Past and Present

94 New Bond Street

Available to collect, usually ready in 24 hours

94 New Bond Street
London W1S 1SJ
United Kingdom

+442074930876
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The first edition of Wheatley's historical survey of London, providing short informative profiles of London's streets, sites of interest and famous institutions. Some descriptions may seem familiar to the current reader (see Bond Street as 'the resort of the fashionable lounger'), others — like the description of Spitalfields as a district 'inhabited by weavers of silk and other poor people' — may today seem a little out of date.

Our copy bears the bookplate of William Beveridge, 1st Baron Beveridge (1879-1963). Born the son of a progressive district sessions judge in Rangpur, Bengal, William Beveridge's unyielding pursuit of social reform would define his life. Rather than pursue a lucrative career at the bar, upon leaving Oxford in 1903 Beveridge moved to London's East End to observe and understand the experiences of normal people struggling to survive in Britain's capital city at the turn of the twentieth century. His inquiry into Social Insurance and Allied Services — known simply as the Beveridge Report — produced in December 1942 was in many ways the culmination of his life's work, and laid the foundation for the modern welfare state which still operates today.

First edition, 3 vols; 8vo (25 x 16 cm); armorial bookplate to front pastedown of each volume; contemporary green cloth bindings, gilt spines, light spotting. A very good set.

Stock code 108567

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We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Please note that all items must be returned in their original condition, including all tags and packaging. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
William Beveridge's copy of London Past and Present, with amorial bookplates to front pastedowns

London Past and Present

$685.00
$685.00

Ask a question

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