The Monumental Brasses of England

London: George Bell, 1849. First edition. Leather. Good Only. 18" by 12". R. B. Utting. A profusely illustrated work on the memorial monumental brasses found in England, written by Charles Boutell. An expansive study on monumental brasses of England.Monumental brasses are engraved sepulchral memorials that became popular in the fourteenth century. They're made of sheet brass or latten, and are let into the pavement, saving space for services in church, which made them very popular.The majority of memorial brasses are now found in England, and they were mostly popular in England and Europe. They show an interesting contemporary images of the fashion of armour and costume at the time. They also illustrate the important figures of the time, as only upper and the wealthy middle class could afford to produce a memorial brass.Illustrated with a frontispiece, and one-hundred and forty-six plates.Written by Charles Boutell. Boutell was an archaeologist and antiquary who published books on brasses, armour, and heraldry.Illustrated by R. B. Utting.Collated, complete. In a half morocco binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, front board may detach with further handling. Rubbing to the boards and spine. Loss to the extremities and to the head and tail of the spine, and lifting to the top edge. A few light marks to the boards and spine. Tear to the head and tail of the rear joint. Spine is a little discoloured, with light discolouration to the extremities of the boards. Institutional label to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned with some spotting. The occasional institutional blind stamp to the text and plates. First gathering is detached but present. Good Only