Guy Mannering, by Sir Walter Scott, (RARE, Decorative Binding, San Francisco Provenance), Undated 📜🇬🇧🔮

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare antique edition of Guy Mannering, The Astrologer by the literary titan Sir Walter Scott, Bart.

Published by DeWolfe, Fiske, & Co. in Boston, this volume is an early American printing of a classic historical novel.

This particular copy is made unique by a bookstore sticker from a historical San Francisco retailer, adding a fascinating layer of provenance. It is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of classic historical novels or decorative bindings.

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Guy Mannering weaves a compelling tale of lost inheritance, romantic intrigue, and the influence of fate. The narrative plunges into the lives of the Bertram family, whose fortunes are disrupted by a series of mysterious events and unsettling prophecies.

Scott skillfully blends elements of romance, adventure, and rich Scottish folklore, creating a vivid portrayal of 18th-century Scottish life. The novel explores themes of justice, redemption, and the enduring power of family ties, all set against a backdrop of mystery and astrological predictions.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨ 

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, widely regarded as a literary giant and the creator of the historical novel genre. His works, including Guy Mannering, brought Scottish history and culture to a global audience, captivating readers with their vivid descriptions, compelling characters, and romantic themes, inspiring generations of writers and shaping the landscape of historical fiction.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The book's publication in the late 19th century places it in a period when classic literature was often republished in aesthetically pleasing, decorative editions. The book also reflects the aesthetic of late Victorian publishing, a time when publishers used artful designs to make books both attractive and affordable.

The presence of a bookstore sticker from Davis Bros. Golden Rule Bazaar, a historical department store in San Francisco, connects this volume to the commercial and social history of the American West. This tangible link to a specific historical establishment in San Francisco makes it a rare artifact for collectors of Californiana.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This antique edition of Guy Mannering is a core acquisition for a collector building a focused library on Victorian literature and Americana. It is a perfect fit for a literary historian who appreciates the intersection of a prolific author’s work with the aesthetic and literary appeal of late 19th-century bookmaking. 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This antique edition of Guy Mannering is a genuinely scarce asset.

The book is approximately 135 years old, having survived over a century of history. Its value is overwhelmingly driven by its market scarcity, its historical importance, and its striking decorative binding. This is a premium asset for a discerning collector.

The book’s pictorial binding, with its intricate black and gilt stamping, is a beautiful example of late 19th-century decorative book art, making it a highly attractive display piece. What truly makes this copy special is the bookstore sticker on the back cover, which provides a unique piece of commercial provenance. This non-replicable asset holds value that far exceeds a standard reprint.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨ This book is a used hardcover edition with a decorative terra cotta (red-orange) cloth binding.

• Binding: The binding shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some loss of the original finish, particularly on the spine and edges. The pictorial stamping shows some fading but remains largely discernible.

• Pages: The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible.

• Structural Integrity: The binding is tight and sound, ensuring the book's structural integrity.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Sir Walter Scott was instrumental in establishing the historical novel as a major literary genre.

• Davis Bros. Golden Rule Bazaar was a prominent department store in San Francisco, reflecting the city's commercial growth during the late 19th century.

• The book's decorative binding is an example of a popular aesthetic from the late Victorian era, which used intricate designs and gilt stamping to create a visually appealing product.

• The sticker from a historical San Francisco retailer provides a unique layer of provenance, connecting this volume to the commercial and social history of the American West.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Guy Mannering, The Astrologer

• Author/Maker: Sir Walter Scott, Bart.

• Year: Undated (c. Late 19th century)

• Publisher/Foundry: DeWolfe, Fiske, & Co.

• Place of Origin: Boston, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover with decorative pictorial binding

• Edition: DeWolfe, Fiske, & Co. Edition

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: The bookstore sticker reads: “Davis Bros. Golden Rule Bazaar. San Francisco, CAL.”