Dear Tom Ayling, huge thanks for this. I am Michael Yorke of Forthampton. Your Elizabeth Yorke was the wife of Joseph Sydney Yorke (1798). He was the son of Charles Yorke, who was the elder brother of my descendant, James Yorke, Bishop of Ely, of Forthampton. It is lovely to hear of you unearthing my family history and putting this flesh on some dried old bones. Thank you, MIKE 🙏 🤗.
What an incredibly wonderful thing! 🙂 Do tell us - does your family continue to be somewhat _"bookish?"_ More seriously, it must be utterly amazing to see such a thing - you clearly come from a lineage of distinction Sir! Around that time, the only ancestors of mine that I am aware of would have most likely been digging potatoes in Ireland.
@@jamesportrais3946 Yes, my father was an academic at Cambridge and I have a PhD in Anthropology. It sure was amazing to see this film. Unhappily those days of feudal distinction are well passed and now I am a happy member of the ordinary public population of this once feudal society.
@@Butbaba - Quite a bit like Rowen Atkinson in "Blackadder: Christmas Carol Special" then. Edmond's social standing declines through the ages whilst Baldrick's social standing advances; though ready wit and lack thereof remain unchanged. I find it particularly ironic as the actor who played Baldrick had been knighted and is now known as Sir Tony Robinson.
I am an English professor, and for me, the text of a book is always more important than the book as an object. But I am captivated by Tom's deep love of old books for their own sake. And in this case, the books as family objects are far more important than the texts they contain (yes, even though the text is the bible). I'm so very glad this much-loved collection fell into such loving hands.
I believe the importance Tom gives to a physical book is reflective of Literary Criticism being classified under the Humanities. The books people read, the way they discuss them, the themes they notice, and the ideas they hold dear provide us with a glimpse into the depths of their person.
Tom is inspiring and he has an ability beyond just the books themselves. His journey and the manner of his delivery can only encourage others to take care of their own literary works. Passing them to like owners is vital to ensure the future of such treasures. A special person and his mentors will be very proud of his maturity and learned approach in promoting such warmth to this wonderful business of sharing one's knowledge and love of "the book". I await his next chapter with excitement. Norman
There are many cases where the text of a book is redacted or edited by modern publishers for various reasons. Not super common but certainly not unheard of, especially when it comes to sensitive cultural topics today. Just another example of why first editions can be special beyond the novelty factor alone.
I love that someone 226 years ago was writing that inscription to their daughter for their wedding. Its amazing this was a real person handling these. I love 2nd hand items and their history
Absolutely lovely. I am moved as well by her story. Please assure us viewers that this set will stay together in that lovely box. Thank you for this on a Sunday morning.
Tom, with all that’s going on in the world today, and as someone who loves history, your channel never fails to lift my spirits. Thank you. I wish you and your family all the best in relatively new endeavor.
You are a kindred spirit. I saw "common prayer" which took me back to my upbringing, which brought on sentimental tears and a recognition of a kind of relief from the stress of where the world is right now that has me upset and packed with anxiety. I have subscribed.
Five of the children are notable as well: Admiral Charles Philip Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke, PC (1799-1873) Henry Reginald Yorke (1803-1871), Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Canon of Ely Hon. Eliot Thomas Yorke MP DL (1805-1885), barrister and politician, director of the Bank of England Grantham Munton Yorke (1809-1879), Dean of Worcester Agneta Elizabeth Yorke (1811-1851), married Robert Cooper Lee Bevan, banker (senior partner at Barclays) I'm sorry but I believe this book collection belongs into a museum.
@@Drad_ I'm sure that's exactly why all archives require the use of gloves to handle historic collections- they want ripped pages instead of acidic oils
Wow. Special books, poignant and moving story with a tiny snapshot of a mother’s life, suffering, and death. Stunningly preserved. Almost tears on film. Fine narrative Tom.
The current Earl of Hardwicke is the 10th in the line: Joseph Philip Sebastian Yorke. If you have the opportunity to share these books with him and he allows you to make a video of that event, that would be wonderful. It would be fascinating to hear the family stories that he could provide.
What a fascinating find. There’s a fair bit of information about Elizabeth and the Yorke’s online which I found just while watching this video. It’s amazing how books can open a window to the past.
@@llywrch7116 If I count correctly, 4 of her children and about 20 of her grandchildren also have Wikipedia articles. I think the number of her descendants notable enough to have such articles exceeds 100.
@@llywrch7116 Have you heard the story of Rudolf Hess's crash landing at Floors Farm, to meet with the Duke of Hamilton? Well, the duke's wife, Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy, daughter of Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland, is a descendant of the Yorkes. As are, of course, all the incumbent Dukes of Northumberland and the Dukes of Sutherland.
A very special and touching find. Books are such personal items to people, but when you discover that they wrote personal details from their lives, it can be so emotional. I found a book about New Zealand in a used book store and opened it up to find notes scribbled and leaves pressed between some pages. It was only about three dollars, but the touching experience of opening it is priceless. Great Video.
Leaves, eh? I picked up a George Carlin paperback at a thrift store and sensed something odd about it that I couldn't put my finger on. It was only $1 so I bought it, and when I get it home I realized what I had been sensing -- when I flipped through it in the store I had thought there were illustrations of marijuana leaves on some of the pages, but it turned out that the book was full of *actual* pressed pot leaves, which came crumbling and fluttering out all over my coffee table! When I posted about my discovery online, someone forwarded my tale and photos of the book to George's daughter, which I thought was nice... Another interesting dollar book I obtained was a 1950s O. Henry anthology that was signed by O. Henry... Well, by *an* O. Henry, anyway. The book contained a newspaper clipping about actor Thomas Mitchell ("Gone With the Wind", "It's a Wonderful Life" etc) coming to Philadelphia to help publicize his new television series "The O. Henry Theater" in which he played the titular character, and this handily completed the story of why (if you haven't already put all the pieces together) a film star's autograph should appear on the title page of a pocket collection of short stories by William Sydney Porter. How's that for an "O. Henry twist ending"?!?
Wow! Now I and apparently a lot of other comment-writers are down the rabbit hole of Joseph & Elizabeth's life and offspring. Amazing how much information is available online about the family and their doings. I love how books connect lives and draw us in to history. Thanks for this! And you don't talk too much about bindings, so keep on. Cheers!
Same here in Vermont USA. I jumped onto Ancestry to research Elizabeth and her family about the same time. I love these touching vignettes into past lives; they're so informative and so poignant. Reminds me of a case in my own family's genealogy... While researching my father's family, I found that his first-born 'aunt', Alice, died at age 9 months, in 1892. Since her young parents had not yet bought a cemetery plot, little Alice was buried with her grandparents. This little child opened up a whole new line of research for me, and lead me to meet and befriend my 3rd cousin, Brian. Alice was remembered in the following generation, as my dad's sister was named Elizabeth Alice. Thank you Tom!
I find it so wholesome that the story of this family has been recorded in the front pages of that bible. Something about the noting down of the vaccinations is so human, you can really feel how significant those felt to them.
Elizabeth Wheake Yorke was Robert Haldane Rattray's sister Elizabeth Wheake Rattray as this lovely box tells us married into the Yorke family. An extended member of our own Rattray family. What a fascinating a treasured position that has remained intact. Robert Haldane Rattray (b.1781;d.1860). Winchester School. At 13 years of age, was a midshipman in the British Navy. In 1800 he left to take up the more tempting offer of a ‘writership’ in the civil service of the Honourable East India Company. Indian Judiciary. He retired in 1851 as Senior Judge of the Sudder Dewanee and Nizamuth Adulah at Culcutta, where he died aged 80.
I can feel your overwhelming emotion at the end. What started out as a lighthearted mystery ended up as the tragic story of early death that was so common at the time.
It is so beautiful to see how worn the two small prayer books are. Elizabeth must have used them often, if not daily, and that is such a lovely, sweet glimpse into her life.
This is powerful. Before even the story and importance of the people contained within is considered, someone held and read these over 200 years ago and took such care of them. It is amazing to think about. Thank you for sharing this with us Tom
This is an interesting shift - for a normal collector or vendor, this would just have been a gamble. But as it is a UA-cam channel as well, there is already value in the premise and the story unraveling.
@@user-fh2vx3hd6c So you are saying they had a detailed list of the books, were too dumb to google them and Tom just lied about not knowing what books it contained?
What an amazing survival and find...your instincts are good! Yes, a sad story, in a way, but not sad that it's been uncovered again. So many women in that era lost all their children, many in infancy. You shared the story of a woman none of us would have known about...wives were not, for the most part, included in histories of their periods. Thank you.
What a fascinating look into a family over 200 years ago, not to mention the beautiful books. Tom, you’re easily THE most interesting channel that I follow, and always excited when I see you’ve dropped new content. You do a truly wonderful job taking us along with you on this awesome journey of yours and sharing your passion for rare books. Also, I’ve learned a great deal!
There is a lot of trivia on UA-cam but equally, like here, there is some extraordinary content. Thank you so much for posting this it allows the whole world to share in the beauty and excitement of this extraordinary find.
How fortunate, Mr. Ayling, that these precious books somehow found their way into your hands for a suitable disposition, instead of being pitched into the old book discount bin.
What an amazing and incredible find! Though tragic, how wonderful that Elizabeth's memory ( and her dear ones ) could be brought to our attention in such a kind and thoughtful manner. You did a great job in honoring this moment , which as you said, you were not expecting! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Suggestion: Create loops of broad ribbon to go around each volume, with a few cm of slack. Before replacing each volume in the box, slide a ribbon around the volume so that the slack lies on top of the spine. Then in the future when removing a volume slide a finger or two in the slack of the ribbon and draw upward. The volumes will be able to be withdrawn with far less wear and tear on their bindings.
There's a *lot* to research here. Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke was a renowned naval commander, and at least 4 of his children (as well as the husband of his daughter) are notable. If you count her grandchildren that have Wikipedia articles, the number is around 20-30. Some of them quite well-known.
Well done. It’s good to see somebody under the age of 60 that loves the entire tapestry of a single book. As an old professor I can say that. What is more interesting are the page markers, I wonder what they were set to look at the last time the book was used . Anyway fantastic job with the books thoroughly enjoy the channel.
Also just researched the couple. As another commenter said, it seems this was Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke, a Naval Admiral with an extraordinary death of struck by lightning, and Lady Elizabeth Weake Yorke (nee Rattray). She passed away only 14 years into their marriage, well before his own demise. Their eldest son was Charles Philip Yprke, also an Admiral and politician.
Goodness me, what an absolutely incredible find!! The story within those hand written notes is worth so much more than the printed text. I absolutely adore these!
Another incredible story found just between the print and cover of some very special books, thank you again for sharing it with us. A good reminder of the scale of tragedy in those times, (and all historical times before very recently) the struggle inherent in just having children and caring for them with pre-modern medicine, even for the relatively well-off. For context, Elizabeth died the year of Napoleon's doomed march into Russia
Such a touching story of a woman’s life in beautifully bound books. She must have come from a religious family. Judging from the condition of the two smaller volumes, she must have been religious herself. I was quite choked up by this episode.
I LOVE this!!! I love old books. My favorite readings are fiction from the late 1700s to mid/later 1800s. My two most prized books are a 1st edition, "Gone With the Wind," and a late 1800s illustrated children's Bible. There are few things better than the smell of old paper in an old leather binding. This unboxing, though, was unbelievable. What a GREAT GREAT find. Then, looking at some of the comments, where people already looked up what I was going to, and discovering the family history and the importance of the family, made it even better.
This is glorious. I am glad that this showed up in my feed today. I would so enjoy being surrounded in old books, manuscripts etc such as these, every day. I looked Elizabeth up and she was 33-34 when she passed. I now wonder What happened that she passed at a younger age 🤔
I hadn't seen this channel before but clicked yesterday. What a wonderful video and an incredible piece of family history. I've gotta say, I didn't expect to get misty over a box of books. Well done.
7:31 Tom’s quiet excitement 😅 This was a really neat video! Thank you for sharing. I can’t even begin to imagine what a find like this is worth but I hope you’ll share when it finds its new home!
Oh, not getting bored of the binding talk at all... They're gloriously beautiful. And in such perfect condition despite their age!😍 That said, I'd personally place some silk bands down with the books when replacing them in the box, so they'll be easier to pull out safely later.😊 I'm a little surprised more people don't do this with tightly sleeved or cased books like these. Especially considering their age.♥️
Not only are the books in astonishing condition, but the box itself shows a brilliant shine finish and no signs of dents or gouges that one would expect as a result of typical handling and storage damage alone!
Yorke married firstly Elizabeth Rattray of Arthurstone, Perth at Hound Church near Southampton on 29 March 1798 and had issue six sons, two of whom died young, and a daughter, his eldest son Charles becoming the 4th Earl of Hardwicke in succession to Philip Yorke on 18 November 1834 and reaching the rank of admiral. After Lady Yorke’s death at the Admiralty on 29 January 1812 he later married, at St. Martins in the Fields, Westminster on 22 May 1813, the twice-widowed Hon. Urania Paulet, daughter of the 12th Marquis of Winchester, sister of Vice Admiral Lord Henry Paulet, and at that time the Dowager Marchioness Clanricarde. Yorke’s residence was given as Sydney Lodge, near Southampton.
Just beautiful bindings and beautifully printed. A real woman’s life from the turn of the 18th to 19th century, not a novel nor even a biography. I hope Joseph was able to find a path to a life after her death and that the children had a mother figure in their lives. To see the creases and the slight wear on the books is profound. The little books, were really used and touched by Elizabeth. Thanks so much for sharing your amazement and nuanced feelings about these books. 🌹 Even the box itself is beautifully made. So glad you found these marvelous books. ( I just watched a video of an old book being rebound, so I know all the work that goes into making these bindings - and how they were created. Makes this find so much more meaningful. 🥀)
Great genealogical info (using a bible for BMD records is normal, but 18thC vaccination records are quite rare survivors!), and the bindings are nice (if that's what you are into), but surely there is only one market for this, and that is the Yorkes. I suggest you have a look in a copy of Burke's or Debrett's under Earl of Hardwicke (for their addresses - the tenth Earl was born in the 1970's), and let them know what you have found! Keep us posted!
From the Parish of Hound on the eastern side of Southampton Water, Part way between Soton and Pompey, What a very distinguished family. The family Bible is wonderful
There was a woman named Elizabeth Weake Yorke (Rattray) who died in 1812 at the age of 33 or 34. She is buried in Wimpole, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England. She had 7 children and was the wife of Admiral Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke. One of her sons was Charles Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke.
An absolute treasure beyond meaning. Both as a simple time capsule as well as a window both into Elizabeth and Joseph's wedding but of their lives and struggles. Just amazing.
What an amazing experience and a fascinating story. Books are such wonderful ways of connecting with the past and holding conversations with people long since gone from the world.
What an incredible find and most interesting story. I found the lot online and it seems you got a great deal. Congratulations on finding this treasure.
WHAT A STORY, PICTURING THAT FAMILY, LOVING MOTHER GIVING THAT THOUGHTFUL GIFT, THE CHILDREN DYING.......I'M FINDING IT HARD TO LET THEM GO, TELL ME WHAT ELSE YOU'VE FOUND ABOUT THEM. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN, DID THE FATHER REMARRY, DID MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BOTH DIE OF THE SAME THING AND WAS IT TB; didn't know children were being vaccinated that long ago; WONDERFUL, THNX FOR SHARING, made my day !!!!!
There is a lot of information online about them, Joseph Sydney Yorke has a wikipedia page which you can find out some basic info but it is missing a lot (as a comparison with the list of children with what was read out by Tom will show). But from there you can see that Joseph Yorke did indeed remarry but his second marriage didn't produce any children. As for Vaccinations, look up the history of Edward Jenner and smallpox vaccinations which was happening around the same time. hope that helps.
My husband sent me this video thinking I would enjoy it, and then I shared it to a Good Omens fan group because it’s a collection of antique books, and then I see that not only is it antique books but it’s a private set with a story and a misprint bible! The other ineffables are going to love this
Hey Tom, this was exciting. May I suggest a thought? Prepare to remove those books from the case using a sling. Watching you lift them out, as you did, filled me with apprehension that the leather would split. Two centuries of existence can lead to regret when handled.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/n.gif)
Dear Tom Ayling, huge thanks for this. I am Michael Yorke of Forthampton. Your Elizabeth Yorke was the wife of Joseph Sydney Yorke (1798). He was the son of Charles Yorke, who was the elder brother of my descendant, James Yorke, Bishop of Ely, of Forthampton. It is lovely to hear of you unearthing my family history and putting this flesh on some dried old bones. Thank you, MIKE 🙏 🤗.
What an incredibly wonderful thing! 🙂 Do tell us - does your family continue to be somewhat _"bookish?"_
More seriously, it must be utterly amazing to see such a thing - you clearly come from a lineage of distinction Sir! Around that time, the only ancestors of mine that I am aware of would have most likely been digging potatoes in Ireland.
@@jamesportrais3946 Yes, my father was an academic at Cambridge and I have a PhD in Anthropology. It sure was amazing to see this film. Unhappily those days of feudal distinction are well passed and now I am a happy member of the ordinary public population of this once feudal society.
Enjoying your videos so much! 🥹
@@Butbaba - Quite a bit like Rowen Atkinson in "Blackadder: Christmas Carol Special" then. Edmond's social standing declines through the ages whilst Baldrick's social standing advances; though ready wit and lack thereof remain unchanged. I find it particularly ironic as the actor who played Baldrick had been knighted and is now known as Sir Tony Robinson.
This is going to sound crazy but I am Michael Forthampton of Yorke!
I am an English professor, and for me, the text of a book is always more important than the book as an object. But I am captivated by Tom's deep love of old books for their own sake. And in this case, the books as family objects are far more important than the texts they contain (yes, even though the text is the bible). I'm so very glad this much-loved collection fell into such loving hands.
I believe the importance Tom gives to a physical book is reflective of Literary Criticism being classified under the Humanities. The books people read, the way they discuss them, the themes they notice, and the ideas they hold dear provide us with a glimpse into the depths of their person.
Tom is inspiring and he has an ability beyond just the books themselves. His journey and the manner of his delivery can only encourage others to take care of their own literary works. Passing them to like owners is vital to ensure the future of such treasures. A special person and his mentors will be very proud of his maturity and learned approach in promoting such warmth to this wonderful business of sharing one's knowledge and love of "the book". I await his next chapter with excitement. Norman
There are many cases where the text of a book is redacted or edited by modern publishers for various reasons. Not super common but certainly not unheard of, especially when it comes to sensitive cultural topics today. Just another example of why first editions can be special beyond the novelty factor alone.
@@hackattack713 it's actually super common, especially today.
Incredible video. Elizabeth York is an immortal thanks to this box. As long as this box survives, she will always be remembered.
Thanks for sharing.
Now THIS is my kind of unboxing video. 📚
Indeed.
Agreed. Thanks Tom.
Unbookxing? No? Ok. :l
@@oz_jones ahhhh I missed the opportunity for the pun!
I love that someone 226 years ago was writing that inscription to their daughter for their wedding. Its amazing this was a real person handling these. I love 2nd hand items and their history
Absolutely lovely. I am moved as well by her story. Please assure us viewers that this set will stay together in that lovely box. Thank you for this on a Sunday morning.
Tom, with all that’s going on in the world today, and as someone who loves history, your channel never fails to lift my spirits. Thank you. I wish you and your family all the best in relatively new endeavor.
Well said, I agree 100%!
You are a kindred spirit. I saw "common prayer" which took me back to my upbringing, which brought on sentimental tears and a recognition of a kind of relief from the stress of where the world is right now that has me upset and packed with anxiety. I have subscribed.
Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke was an Admiral in the British navy. Died when his small landing craft was struck by lightning. Extraordinary find !!!
Yes, and incredible book find!!
Given the connection to the navy it makes more sense that they’d name one of their kids after Horatio Nelson
@@danielangel3685 Especially given that he was born in the year after Nelson's death at Trafalgar.
Five of the children are notable as well:
Admiral Charles Philip Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke, PC (1799-1873)
Henry Reginald Yorke (1803-1871), Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Canon of Ely
Hon. Eliot Thomas Yorke MP DL (1805-1885), barrister and politician, director of the Bank of England
Grantham Munton Yorke (1809-1879), Dean of Worcester
Agneta Elizabeth Yorke (1811-1851), married Robert Cooper Lee Bevan, banker (senior partner at Barclays)
I'm sorry but I believe this book collection belongs into a museum.
@@renerpho that may well be where it ends up!
You should get some wide ribbons to put around the books when dropping them in to make it easier to get out safely.
Exactly my thoughts watching those spines crease as it tried to lift them out!
and some gloves to handle them. The wear on the prayer book is likely caused primarily from oils from handling it during use
@@huberthumphry280 Gloves make it easier to rip the pages sadly, it is actually safer if not handled constantly to use clean hands.
@@Drad_ I'm sure that's exactly why all archives require the use of gloves to handle historic collections- they want ripped pages instead of acidic oils
@huberthumphry280 huh, archive vs collection i suppose, this guy swears by clean hands.
Wow. Special books, poignant and moving story with a tiny snapshot of a mother’s life, suffering, and death. Stunningly preserved. Almost tears on film. Fine narrative Tom.
The current Earl of Hardwicke is the 10th in the line: Joseph Philip Sebastian Yorke. If you have the opportunity to share these books with him and he allows you to make a video of that event, that would be wonderful. It would be fascinating to hear the family stories that he could provide.
Thank you for letting us live vicariously through you! What an amazing find.
What a fascinating find. There’s a fair bit of information about Elizabeth and the Yorke’s online which I found just while watching this video. It’s amazing how books can open a window to the past.
Her husband, Jospeh Sydney Yorke, has an article in Wikipedia. It doesn't mention the children who died young that Tom mentions in this video.
@@llywrch7116 If I count correctly, 4 of her children and about 20 of her grandchildren also have Wikipedia articles. I think the number of her descendants notable enough to have such articles exceeds 100.
@@llywrch7116 Have you heard the story of Rudolf Hess's crash landing at Floors Farm, to meet with the Duke of Hamilton? Well, the duke's wife, Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy, daughter of Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland, is a descendant of the Yorkes. As are, of course, all the incumbent Dukes of Northumberland and the Dukes of Sutherland.
A very special and touching find. Books are such personal items to people, but when you discover that they wrote personal details from their lives, it can be so emotional. I found a book about New Zealand in a used book store and opened it up to find notes scribbled and leaves pressed between some pages. It was only about three dollars, but the touching experience of opening it is priceless. Great Video.
Leaves, eh? I picked up a George Carlin paperback at a thrift store and sensed something odd about it that I couldn't put my finger on. It was only $1 so I bought it, and when I get it home I realized what I had been sensing -- when I flipped through it in the store I had thought there were illustrations of marijuana leaves on some of the pages, but it turned out that the book was full of *actual* pressed pot leaves, which came crumbling and fluttering out all over my coffee table! When I posted about my discovery online, someone forwarded my tale and photos of the book to George's daughter, which I thought was nice...
Another interesting dollar book I obtained was a 1950s O. Henry anthology that was signed by O. Henry... Well, by *an* O. Henry, anyway. The book contained a newspaper clipping about actor Thomas Mitchell ("Gone With the Wind", "It's a Wonderful Life" etc) coming to Philadelphia to help publicize his new television series "The O. Henry Theater" in which he played the titular character, and this handily completed the story of why (if you haven't already put all the pieces together) a film star's autograph should appear on the title page of a pocket collection of short stories by William Sydney Porter. How's that for an "O. Henry twist ending"?!?
WOWWWW WHAT A MOMENT, THNX FOR ALLOWING US TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER !!!!!!!!!!! 🤗 WHAT A FIND !!!!!!!!
Wow! Now I and apparently a lot of other comment-writers are down the rabbit hole of Joseph & Elizabeth's life and offspring. Amazing how much information is available online about the family and their doings. I love how books connect lives and draw us in to history. Thanks for this! And you don't talk too much about bindings, so keep on. Cheers!
About halfway through I couldn't wait anymore and had to go look her up haha!
Same here in Vermont USA. I jumped onto Ancestry to research Elizabeth and her family about the same time. I love these touching vignettes into past lives; they're so informative and so poignant.
Reminds me of a case in my own family's genealogy...
While researching my father's family, I found that his first-born 'aunt', Alice, died at age 9 months, in 1892. Since her young parents had not yet bought a cemetery plot, little Alice was buried with her grandparents. This little child opened up a whole new line of research for me, and lead me to meet and befriend my 3rd cousin, Brian. Alice was remembered in the following generation, as my dad's sister was named Elizabeth Alice.
Thank you Tom!
I find it so wholesome that the story of this family has been recorded in the front pages of that bible.
Something about the noting down of the vaccinations is so human, you can really feel how significant those felt to them.
Elizabeth Wheake Yorke was Robert Haldane Rattray's sister Elizabeth Wheake Rattray as this lovely box tells us married into the Yorke family. An extended member of our own Rattray family. What a fascinating a treasured position that has remained intact.
Robert Haldane Rattray (b.1781;d.1860). Winchester School. At 13 years of age, was a midshipman in the British Navy. In 1800 he left to take up the more tempting offer of a ‘writership’ in the civil service of the Honourable East India Company. Indian Judiciary. He retired in 1851 as Senior Judge of the Sudder Dewanee and Nizamuth Adulah at Culcutta, where he died aged 80.
It's fascinating to hear about the people connected to these wonderfully kept books. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this incredible find. It is a privilege spending time with you.
I can feel your overwhelming emotion at the end. What started out as a lighthearted mystery ended up as the tragic story of early death that was so common at the time.
A prayer book could be an alternative to a bouquet of flowers. Elizabeth may have walked down the aisle holding the prayer book given by her mother.
It is so beautiful to see how worn the two small prayer books are. Elizabeth must have used them often, if not daily, and that is such a lovely, sweet glimpse into her life.
This is powerful. Before even the story and importance of the people contained within is considered, someone held and read these over 200 years ago and took such care of them. It is amazing to think about. Thank you for sharing this with us Tom
This is an interesting shift - for a normal collector or vendor, this would just have been a gamble. But as it is a UA-cam channel as well, there is already value in the premise and the story unraveling.
And it is a great story.
it wasn't a gamble. all the details of the box and it's contents were on the auction.
@@user-fh2vx3hd6c So you are saying they had a detailed list of the books, were too dumb to google them and Tom just lied about not knowing what books it contained?
these have to be some of the first vaccinations ever done! Very touching, what a time capsule. Congratulations and thanks for showing it.
What an amazing survival and find...your instincts are good! Yes, a sad story, in a way, but not sad that it's been uncovered again. So many women in that era lost all their children, many in infancy. You shared the story of a woman none of us would have known about...wives were not, for the most part, included in histories of their periods. Thank you.
That penmanship on the slightly bigger prayer book is beautiful.
A treasure discovered by someone who will treasure it. Nice! What an excellent video. Thank you!!!
What a fascinating look into a family over 200 years ago, not to mention the beautiful books. Tom, you’re easily THE most interesting channel that I follow, and always excited when I see you’ve dropped new content.
You do a truly wonderful job taking us along with you on this awesome journey of yours and sharing your passion for rare books. Also, I’ve learned a great deal!
Thank you for sharing your sense of history and your heart. I could see and feel your emotions at the end of the video.
There is a lot of trivia on UA-cam but equally, like here, there is some extraordinary content. Thank you so much for posting this it allows the whole world to share in the beauty and excitement of this extraordinary find.
How fortunate, Mr. Ayling, that these precious books somehow found their way into your hands for a suitable disposition, instead of being pitched into the old book discount bin.
What an amazing and incredible find! Though tragic, how wonderful that Elizabeth's memory ( and her dear ones ) could be brought to our attention in such a kind and thoughtful manner.
You did a great job in honoring this moment , which as you said, you were not expecting!
Thank you so much for sharing with us!
I saw this at the auction. I think £300 was an incredible bargain.
Such a link to the past.
Suggestion: Create loops of broad ribbon to go around each volume, with a few cm of slack. Before replacing each volume in the box, slide a ribbon around the volume so that the slack lies on top of the spine. Then in the future when removing a volume slide a finger or two in the slack of the ribbon and draw upward. The volumes will be able to be withdrawn with far less wear and tear on their bindings.
Marvelous! I hope you do another episode with your research about this people.
There's a *lot* to research here. Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke was a renowned naval commander, and at least 4 of his children (as well as the husband of his daughter) are notable. If you count her grandchildren that have Wikipedia articles, the number is around 20-30. Some of them quite well-known.
What an absolutely incredible find! Such gorgeous books, and they tell a wonderful story.
Well done. It’s good to see somebody under the age of 60 that loves the entire tapestry of a single book. As an old professor I can say that. What is more interesting are the page markers, I wonder what they were set to look at the last time the book was used . Anyway fantastic job with the books thoroughly enjoy the channel.
Wow, what a find! I hope they are kept together as the wonderful collection they are.
A quite superb reveal full of respect and poignancy for the personal histories. Many thanks.
Also just researched the couple. As another commenter said, it seems this was Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke, a Naval Admiral with an extraordinary death of struck by lightning, and Lady Elizabeth Weake Yorke (nee Rattray). She passed away only 14 years into their marriage, well before his own demise. Their eldest son was Charles Philip Yprke, also an Admiral and politician.
A marriage gift that was stored very well and lasted so long! I would love the 2 volumes of the Bible. Very beautiful set.
Goodness me, what an absolutely incredible find!! The story within those hand written notes is worth so much more than the printed text. I absolutely adore these!
What an extraordinary discovery.
I felt like I was there looking over your shoulder as you examined the volumes.
Your excitement was palpable.
What a “dream come true” kind of job!
Tom has the best job and is the best at it!!
What a find. Follow your hunches, Tom!
Another incredible story found just between the print and cover of some very special books, thank you again for sharing it with us. A good reminder of the scale of tragedy in those times, (and all historical times before very recently) the struggle inherent in just having children and caring for them with pre-modern medicine, even for the relatively well-off. For context, Elizabeth died the year of Napoleon's doomed march into Russia
What an amazing thing. I wasn't expecting to be so moved by a box of books. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Such a touching story of a woman’s life in beautifully bound books. She must have come from a religious family. Judging from the condition of the two smaller volumes, she must have been religious herself. I was quite choked up by this episode.
I LOVE this!!!
I love old books. My favorite readings are fiction from the late 1700s to mid/later 1800s. My two most prized books are a 1st edition, "Gone With the Wind," and a late 1800s illustrated children's Bible. There are few things better than the smell of old paper in an old leather binding.
This unboxing, though, was unbelievable. What a GREAT GREAT find. Then, looking at some of the comments, where people already looked up what I was going to, and discovering the family history and the importance of the family, made it even better.
This is glorious. I am glad that this showed up in my feed today. I would so enjoy being surrounded in old books, manuscripts etc such as these, every day. I looked Elizabeth up and she was 33-34 when she passed. I now wonder What happened that she passed at a younger age 🤔
Incredibly beautiful books. Incredibly beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Her first son, Charles Philip, was also an Admiral and 4th Earl of Hardwicke. A very storied and notable family
What an amazing and heart warming and heart breaking story is found in these inscriptions. A wonderful find of course.
I loved the new office, and that was such a sweet find. Tom, you made another superb video.
"Oh crumbs" indeed! What a fascinating discovery
Exquisite penmanship! I wish we were teaching that in schools today🎉
I hadn't seen this channel before but clicked yesterday. What a wonderful video and an incredible piece of family history. I've gotta say, I didn't expect to get misty over a box of books. Well done.
7:31 Tom’s quiet excitement 😅 This was a really neat video! Thank you for sharing. I can’t even begin to imagine what a find like this is worth but I hope you’ll share when it finds its new home!
To see the Holy Scriptures and pray books from history in such beautiful conditions.
Read and studied it would appear.
Thank you for sharing.🙏👏
The penmanship of people in years gone by is impeccable
What a wonderfully poignant video. The chest is a treasure, the books are a treasure, and the story told by all is treasure. I am deeply moved.😔
Tears for matching Books of Common Prayer. Quite beautiful
Oh, not getting bored of the binding talk at all... They're gloriously beautiful. And in such perfect condition despite their age!😍
That said, I'd personally place some silk bands down with the books when replacing them in the box, so they'll be easier to pull out safely later.😊 I'm a little surprised more people don't do this with tightly sleeved or cased books like these. Especially considering their age.♥️
Not only are the books in astonishing condition, but the box itself shows a brilliant shine finish and no signs of dents or gouges that one would expect as a result of typical handling and storage damage alone!
Great find Tom! Surprisingly emotional video, thanks for sharing it with us.
Wonderful moment to have uncovered such a special slice of history. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Yorke married firstly Elizabeth Rattray of Arthurstone, Perth at Hound Church near Southampton on 29 March 1798 and had issue six sons, two of whom died young, and a daughter, his eldest son Charles becoming the 4th Earl of Hardwicke in succession to Philip Yorke on 18 November 1834 and reaching the rank of admiral. After Lady Yorke’s death at the Admiralty on 29 January 1812 he later married, at St. Martins in the Fields, Westminster on 22 May 1813, the twice-widowed Hon. Urania Paulet, daughter of the 12th Marquis of Winchester, sister of Vice Admiral Lord Henry Paulet, and at that time the Dowager Marchioness Clanricarde. Yorke’s residence was given as Sydney Lodge, near Southampton.
This must be the same as the Joseph Sidney Yorke baptised 5th July at St George, Bloomsbury whose parents were a Charles and Agneta.
@@chasm3607 Yes. The Right Honourable Charles Yorke, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, was his father.
@@chasm3607 Agneta has a monument dedicated to her in Wimpole, Cambridgeshire.
Just beautiful bindings and beautifully printed. A real woman’s life from the turn of the 18th to 19th century, not a novel nor even a biography. I hope Joseph was able to find a path to a life after her death and that the children had a mother figure in their lives.
To see the creases and the slight wear on the books is profound. The little books, were really used and touched by Elizabeth. Thanks so much for sharing your amazement and nuanced feelings about these books. 🌹
Even the box itself is beautifully made. So glad you found these marvelous books.
( I just watched a video of an old book being rebound, so I know all the work that goes into making these bindings - and how they were created. Makes this find so much more meaningful. 🥀)
What an excellent find...and the unexpected journey of a young woman's life and death! Thank you for sharing this with us. It moved me deeply.
What a beautiful and amazing find. Thank you for sharing this.
Great genealogical info (using a bible for BMD records is normal, but 18thC vaccination records are quite rare survivors!), and the bindings are nice (if that's what you are into), but surely there is only one market for this, and that is the Yorkes. I suggest you have a look in a copy of Burke's or Debrett's under Earl of Hardwicke (for their addresses - the tenth Earl was born in the 1970's), and let them know what you have found! Keep us posted!
Fabulous collection of sacred books. Incredible condition. Looks like only the small ones were used often.
Wow, I'm speechless! Thank you, Tom for this video.
From the Parish of Hound on the eastern side of Southampton Water, Part way between Soton and Pompey, What a very distinguished family. The family Bible is wonderful
What an incredible find!! I love seeing your auction adventures.
What an marvellous purchase. I didn't know about the "Killer" Bible, I bet the typesetters felt guilty about that one!
Compositors - not 'typesetters'.
There was a woman named Elizabeth Weake Yorke (Rattray) who died in 1812 at the age of 33 or 34. She is buried in Wimpole, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England. She had 7 children and was the wife of Admiral Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke. One of her sons was Charles Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke.
An absolute treasure beyond meaning. Both as a simple time capsule as well as a window both into Elizabeth and Joseph's wedding but of their lives and struggles. Just amazing.
What an amazing experience and a fascinating story. Books are such wonderful ways of connecting with the past and holding conversations with people long since gone from the world.
The hunch steered you well 😊 what a fantastic bit of history
Hello from Australia. Have enjoyed your journey thus far. The puchase at Drewetts proved a very rewarding one. Wishing you all the very best.
This set is certainly a treasure. Hearing you read the inscriptions is very emotional.
Speechless. Extraordinary find.
Wow, such beautiful books! I've decided that when I write my autobiography - My First 100 Years - I'll have it bound in similar fashion.
I bloody love this channel
I love the smell from old books page. Wonderful find
How beautiful both the books and the story. I could tell you were drying up.
Your passion is as charming as your subject is engaging
What an incredible find and most interesting story. I found the lot online and it seems you got a great deal. Congratulations on finding this treasure.
That was a wonderful find and an amazingly powerful video.
I just Googled the family and they have extensive information on them recorded. What a find!
This unboxing and its contents are thoroughly fascinating
WHAT A STORY, PICTURING THAT FAMILY, LOVING MOTHER GIVING THAT THOUGHTFUL GIFT, THE CHILDREN DYING.......I'M FINDING IT HARD TO LET THEM GO, TELL ME WHAT ELSE YOU'VE FOUND ABOUT THEM. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN, DID THE FATHER REMARRY, DID MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BOTH DIE OF THE SAME THING AND WAS IT TB; didn't know children were being vaccinated that long ago; WONDERFUL, THNX FOR SHARING, made my day !!!!!
There is a lot of information online about them, Joseph Sydney Yorke has a wikipedia page which you can find out some basic info but it is missing a lot (as a comparison with the list of children with what was read out by Tom will show). But from there you can see that Joseph Yorke did indeed remarry but his second marriage didn't produce any children. As for Vaccinations, look up the history of Edward Jenner and smallpox vaccinations which was happening around the same time. hope that helps.
Big hello from Guatemala City and here's a little search for you my friend. Love your channel !
My husband sent me this video thinking I would enjoy it, and then I shared it to a Good Omens fan group because it’s a collection of antique books, and then I see that not only is it antique books but it’s a private set with a story and a misprint bible! The other ineffables are going to love this
Hey Tom, this was exciting. May I suggest a thought? Prepare to remove those books from the case using a sling. Watching you lift them out, as you did, filled me with apprehension that the leather would split. Two centuries of existence can lead to regret when handled.
Astonishing discovery, mixed excitement and sadness with the biographical details. A valuable piece of preserved history.
Wow fascinating, really enjoyed this. The family are listed on the site…wimpolepast local history site and seem to be buried in the family church!
Magnificent! So happy you went to that auction!