first edition
1897 · Winchester VA
by Davidson Bros., Photographers
Winchester VA: Davidson Bros, 1897. First Edition. Oblong 12mo (5" x 7"). Original cord-bound printed wrappers; 36 unnumbered leaves, printed recto-only; illus. Moderate soiling to cover wrappers and page edges, but still a well-preserved copy, better than most we have seen. One of our favorite little pieces of Winchester ephemera, this pictorial souvenir documents each of the Winchester ladder companies in operation at the end of the Nineteenth century, including officers, personnel and equipment. Brief text introduction, followed by some general views of the city and frontispiece portraits of philanthropists John Kerr and Judge John Handley, who are captioned "Winchester's Benefactors." A scarce item; we have handled only three copies in over twenty years of bookselling in Winchester, this probably the nicest example we have seen. (Inventory #: 32103)