Finger-Posts to British History

Published in 1909, Finger Posts to British History covers the history of the island of Great Britain, starting with “Britain Before the Coming of the Romans” and ending with “Edward VII (Summary: 1901-1908)”. It includes maps of Great Britain showing sites of battles or countries that Britain was at war with at a particular time, and marks out specific events with timelines for each period. Please note that because this book was published in 1909 it does NOT cover the World War or Cold War periods.

Title: Finger-Posts to British History
Author: Robert S. Rait & J. Edward Parrott
Publisher: Thomas Nelson and Sons
Publication Year: 1909
Pages: 192
Size: 16 cm x 21.5 cm

This book has olive green cloth boards with embossed lettering on the spine and black embossed lettering and illustration on the front board. The lettering on the spine is fading and both the front and back boards are scuffed and have dirt marks, this has clearly been a well-used book over the years.

Inside the book the spine is cracked between pages 31 and 32, with some light cracking also between pages 48 and 49. However the binding is still secure, none of the pages are loose and there does not appear to be anything missing. The pages have some foxing marks and quite a few pencil marks where a previous owner has marked out what they are studying, or noted a useful date.

There is a picture postcard between pages 62 and 63 showing a group of ten young women in blouses and high-waisted skirts, judging by the fashion I’d say it was taken around the time the book was published, somewhere around the late Edwardian period. There is nothing on the back of the postcard to indicate who the women were or where the photo was taken.

Overall this book has taken a bit of a battering over the years. It may not be in perfect gift-giving condition, but I think it would suit any fan of vintage books, or possibly someone who enjoys British history.