Northumberland: A Shell Guide

London: Faber & Faber, 1969. John Piper and John Betjeman. Faber & Faber, London, 1969, third edition (first edition 1937). Hardback. 127 pages plus 3 maps. Dust jacket. Northumberland is a county of hills and valleys, grassy uplands, a rich coastal plain, a sandy coast, and off-shore islands. It has more ancient remains and medieval castles than any other county in Britain, and - outside the industrial triangle around the mouth of the Tyne - fewer towns and villages than any in England. It had a wild history, and did not become really settled until the eighteenth century. Now its rural parts, nine tenths of the whole, are lonely and quiet and can still offer an unusual peacefulness. The author, though born in the adjoining county of Durham, has lived and worked in Northumberland and travelled around it a great deal. His impressionistic and factual account of its scenery and sights is illustrated by a large collection of photographs. Illustrated with many black & white photographs and a colour frontispiece. Book in very good condition - just a faint mustiness. Some slight soiling to top edges of boards. Dust jacket very good. Price clipped. Slight edge wear and a little rubbing to extremities of spine. Generally only very light soiling. Spine and rear panel slightly discoloured. Previous owner's name in ink to front flap.