1886 Meditations on the Bible Heaven – Samuel T. Spear First edition

1886 Meditations on the Bible Heaven – Samuel T. Spear, Funk & Wagnalls First edition

Details:

- Author: Samuel T. Spear, D.D.

- Publisher: Funk & Wagnalls, New York and London (10 and 12 Dey Street / 44 Fleet Street)

- Year: 1886

- Edition: First Edition

- Language: English

- Format: Octavo (8vo)

Description

A complete 1886 first-edition volume of Meditations on the Bible Heaven, written by the prominent Presbyterian theologian Samuel T. Spear, D.D. This historic theological work was published by Funk & Wagnalls, an established publishing house with offices in New York and London.

Divided into two principal parts, Part I: Preliminary Meditations establishes the groundwork for the author's theological reflections, while Part II: The Bible Heaven explores subjects including the heavenly reward, heavenly recognition and reunion, the resurrection of the dead, and the nature of Christ in eternity.

An interesting piece of institutional history survives on the front pastedown in the form of a bookplate reading, “Property of The Hubley Printing Co. Ltd., York, Penn'a.” This ownership mark connects the volume to a Pennsylvania printing company and adds a documented element of its ownership history.

The text block features generous margins and clear typesetting characteristic of late-19th-century theological publishing.

Condition

- Binding: Original publisher's dark forest-green cloth binding with gold-stamped lettering and decorative rules along the spine. An intricate gold-stamped publisher's monogram appears at the foot of the spine. The cloth shows noticeable fraying and softening at the head and tail of the spine, with very light rubbing to the outer corners. The boards remain strong, stable, and intact.

- Edges: The outer text block edges show light, natural darkening and tanning consistent with age.

- Interior: The pages remain crisp and exceptionally bright for a volume of this age. A small area of cosmetic separation is beginning in the paper at the inner gutter hinge, although the binding remains structurally sound. One page retains unopened edges, with the paper still attached at the original fold from the 19th-century printing process. This feature is consistent with limited handling of that portion of the text, although it does not by itself establish the reading history of the entire volume.

- Additional Marks: A faint pencil notation, “3/28-27,” appears in the upper margin of the first text page. The remaining text is remarkably clean, with no apparent dampstaining or foxing noted during examination.

The condition notes above reflect observations made during examination. Accompanying photographs are provided so prospective collectors can independently assess the binding, interior, and overall condition.

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Collection Reference: AS-1072

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