ARTHUR MEE’S SHROPSHIRE

H&S 1950.

One of the brilliant early series on English counties produced by Arthur Mee. These books really are little gems, containing information on various fascinating places and subjects within the chosen county.

Unlike many later guides the books covered the history of each area in an interesting and informative way, telling of memorials, locations and the background to each event. By dint of this the reader is ‘drawn towards’ the subject matter, the interest heightened, and the desire to visit a place increased. This is radically different to much of today’s fair, with its sterilised and standard delivery.

These books enthuse the reader, making the wish to search out and visit a place almost a compulsion.

This is an ex library copy but the stamps, ticket pocket and details are confined to the inside front cover and the face and verso of the title page. There is a split along the fold (gutter) joint here which exposes the linen. Although this causes a little slackness this is quite minor. There is a clear plastic cover which has become a little sunned and grubby and has rolled slightly at the base. This has also caused some tape stains inside front and back. Other than for some light foxing, mainly to the closed page edges the book is in good condition.

The faults possibly sound worse than they actually are. The book is a good reader copy of an excellent and never (in my opinion) equalled series. A nice find for those that wish to put some flesh on the bones of the history of an area