Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott | Antique School Prize Edition | Relfe Brothers Ltd | Decorative Victorian Binding | Approx. 1910

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott is one of the defining historical adventure novels of the 19th century, first published in 1819 and set in medieval England during the reign of Richard the Lionheart.

This antique school edition, published by Relfe Brothers Ltd. of London, includes an introduction and notes by J. Higham and features black-and-white illustrations throughout. The novel helped popularise romantic depictions of knights, castles, tournaments, and the tension between Saxons and Normans in medieval Britain.

The story follows the disinherited knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe as he returns from the Crusades and becomes entangled in political intrigue, chivalric conflict, and romance involving characters such as Rebecca, Rowena, Robin Hood, and Richard the Lionheart.

This particular copy has an especially attractive early 20th-century presentation binding, with gilt decoration to the front board and spine, marbled-style endpapers, and an original school prize label from Addiscombe House School, Margate dated Christmas 1910. A charming and highly displayable antique edition suitable for collectors of classic literature, medieval history, Victorian and Edwardian books, or decorative library interiors.

Condition: Antique hardback in decorative publisher’s cloth binding with gilt detailing to front board and spine. General age-related wear and rubbing to edges and corners, with some fraying and bumping at the spine ends and corners. Binding remains solid and structurally sound. Pages are generally clean with light foxing and age toning throughout, typical of a book of this age. Prize inscription label to front pastedown dated Xmas 1910. An attractive and well-preserved antique copy overall with strong shelf presence (please see photographs).