The Tunbridge Wells Guide; Or, The Account of the Ancient and Present State of that Place

To which is added a particular description of the towns and vilages, remins of antiquity, gentlemen's seat, founderies &c &c within the circumference of sixteen miles [with folding map]

Tunbridge Wells: Printed and sold by J. Sprange. Sold also in London, by T. Beecroft, 1780.

Title page of first edition (1780) but the Description (p79) and one plates are dated 1785, other plates dated earlier. Folding map dated 1774 not usually found, and hardly ever in this fresh and untorn state. Wood engraved frontispiece (Pantiles), titlepage with framed vignette (Mount Pleasant House), Dedication page, three further plates, and three folding plates, one of which has been trimmed about one inch from the bottom edge with no loss to descriptive caption. 8vo (7.5 x 5 ins); pp [x], 112, i-viii, 113-308, [2] Contemporary mottled calf boards, slightly later backstip with red Morocco label lettered in gilt. Both endpapers present. Corners of boards rubbed and rounded; contemporary manuscript observations across the lower margin of p134-135. An excellent copy of this attractive little guide to Tunbridge Wells and its surrounding villages, which includes the often missing folding map published by Jasper Sprange (1745-1823), a printer, bookseller, and postmaster who worked in Tunbridge Wells. Contains list of major roads leading from Tunbridge Wells, the routes of stage coaches, waggons and post and a list of the lodging houses in the town

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