A Glossary Of Terms Used In The Coal Trade of Northumberland and Durham, Former Copy of Sam Watson

Bemrose & Sons, London, 1888; Third Edition; 8vo, 92 pages; printed paper wraps; frontispiece portrait photo of the author. A complete glossary of terms and slang used in the Durham and Northumberland coal trade, providing an insider’s view of 19th century life in the mines. First published anonymously in very small number in 1849, all copies were quickly exhausted and a second edition was undertaken which, likewise, soon fell out of print. In response to continued demand and a perceived threat from a plagiarized version soon to go press by another author, Greenwell wrote this third edition, greatly lengthened and augmented, in August of 1888. Former copy of powerful British trade unionist Sam Watson (1898-1967), Treasurer of The Durham Miners’ Association 1932-1945 and General Secretary of the Durham National Union of Mineworkers 1945-1963, with his signature on the title page. Good. Fragile front and rear wraps detached, with their margins well chipped. Text block sound, square, sewings tight, one page roughly opened, not affecting text. A rare book.