Life and Labour of the People in London; First Series: Poverty

New York: Augustus M. Kelley, 1969. Hardcover. Fine. Reprints of Economic Classics", five volumes (four books plus a case with five folding maps), octavo size, approx. 1300 pp. Charles James Booth (1840-1916) is "best known for his innovative philanthropic studies on working-class life in London towards the end of the 19th century" (n.b., per Wiki). The four books in the set include: Vol. 1, "East Central and South London"; Vol. 2, "Streets and Population Classified"; Vol. 3, "Blocks of Buildings, Schools and Immigration"; and Vol. 4, "Trades of East London Connected With Poverty". The fifth "volume" is a case holding the folding maps made to match the (truncated) bindings of the four books with the spine label reading "Maps of London Poverty, Districts and Streets".

This the only complete set online as of this writing, and includes the fifth "volume", holding the coloured maps. Per the web site of Layers of London, "The Maps Descriptive of London Poverty are perhaps the most distinctive product of Charles Booth's Inquiry into Life and Labour in London (1886-1903). An early example of social cartography, each street is coloured to indicate the income and social class of its inhabitants."

___DESCRIPTION: The four books all bound in simulated leather over boards, black and red "labels" stamped onto the spines with gilt lettering and decorations, each volume replete with charts and statistical tables, the map case holding five folding maps; octavo size (9 1/4" by 6 1/4"), the four books with approx. 1300 pages.

___CONDITION: The four books fine overall, the boards clean, straight corners without rubbing, strong, square text blocks with solid hinges, the interiors clean and bright, and the sole prior owner markings we see some ink notations at the top of the verso of the rear free endpapers (in appearance as though old bookseller markings), the map case fine overall with very light wear at the top and bottom edges, the maps appear never to have been opened; a few specks of very light marks on the back board of Volume 2 and the light wear to the edges of the map case, else fine.

___POSTAGE: Please note that due to size additional postage may apply; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: CNJL2541)