c. 1900 The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan | Full Maroon Leather | Arnold High School Rugby Prize Binding

A handsome early-20th-century edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, published in London by S. W. Partridge & Co., and finely bound in full maroon leather with elegant gilt Art Nouveau floral tooling.

John Bunyan was an English writer and preacher, best known for The Pilgrim’s Progress(1678). Written as a Christian allegory, the book follows a spiritual journey from sin to salvation and became one of the most influential and widely read works in the English language, remaining in print for centuries.

The front board is stamped in gilt with the Arnold High School Rugby arms and motto Semper Parata, marking this volume as a school prize binding—a form of provenance especially sought after by collectors of British educational history.

The spine features a golden leather title label with gilt lettering, delicate floral gilt motifs, and raised bands. Boards are finished with gilt corner ornaments on both boards, and the volume retains its original marbled endpapers and marbled text block edges, adding visual richness throughout.

Illustrated with eight full-page color plates and forty-seven black-and-white engravings by Frederick Barnard, Linton, Small, and others, engraved by the Dalziel Brothers. The book also includes an introductory notice of the author by Rev. William Landels, D.D.

On front marbled endpaper is a prize inscription, awarded for Scripture Prize to a named student, further anchoring this volume in its Edwardian scholastic context.

A visually striking and historically resonant example of one of the most influential works in English devotional literature—ideal for collectors of fine bindings, prize books, or classic Christian texts.

Leather binding remains supple with light surface rubbing and minor wear consistent with age. Gilt stamping is bright and well-preserved. Marbled endpapers and page edges are clean and attractive. Interior pages clean. 415 pp.

Condition: Very good. 

Size: 5” x 7 1/2”

A distinguished leather-bound classic with British school prize provenance, well suited for display or collection.