The History of England from the year 1830-1874, Volumes I and II (Harold Wilson's books from his father)

Two volumes, bound in decorative brown cloth, very good, spines nicked, a stain to the upper cover of volume I, but still a handsome set with crisp, clean pages in firm bindings; bookseller's ticket of Edward Baker, John Bright Street, Birmingham. Ownership inscription to front free end paper of Harold Wilson's father 'J H Wilson, Crumpsall'. Occasional pencil marks in the margins of the text: in volume I marking a speech by Sir Robert Peel on Corporation Reform; in volume II marking a passage defending the House of Lords. This book comes from the private collection of British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his wife Mary who died recently at the age of 102. During his lifetime Harold Wilson kept the book in the Ashley Gardens mansion flat in Westminster that the couple shared until his death in 1995. After she lost her husband Mary Wilson continued to live in the couple's flat, surrounded by a lifetime's accumulation of books and memories until 2016.