Movements in European History (Rare FIRST STATE) Hardcover - 1925

Oxford: Oxford University Press / Humphrey Milford, 1925. Book. Near Fine. Cloth. First Edition. First illustrated edition, first printing, first state, with the plate showing the Old South Church in Boston incorrectly as the place where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty, or give me Death" speech at page 271, which was substituted with the plate showing the Boston Harbor in the second state. The vast majority of the first-state copies were recalled and destroyed by the publisher with only 12 known copies surviving. In the original-issue dark-blue cloth binding with gilt lettering and decoration on the spine and front cover. xiii + 354 pages, followed by 15 pages of b/w maps. Many full-page b/w illustrations throughout. Large, heavy book measuring 8 1/8" x 5 5/8" x 1 1/8" and weighing nearly 2 pounds. In NEAR FINE condition. Book is very bright and clean, tight and square, with strong, firm hinges with no cracking. Very slight bumps to the tips of two corners, very slight touches of wear to the spine ends and rear spine fold, and the book opens wide at two places exposing the inner threading. Otherwise Fine, with particularly bright, shiny and unworn gilt lettering and decoration on the spine and front cover. No sunning to the spine or the boards. Spotless outer page edges. Previous owner's small bookplate on front pastedown. Bright, clean, unmarked practically flawless pages. Text was first published in 1921 under the pseudonym Lawrence H. Davison..