Historical information

Benjamin Disraeli (1801-1881) was a politician, who wrote novels, was the prime minister (twice) of the United Kingdom, and was the only Jewish-born Prime Minister. He became a close friend to Queen Victoria, who entitled him to 1st Earl of Beaconsfield.

The book is part of Flagstaff Hill's Pattison Collection, a large group of books and records, some of which are rare and valuable. The collection was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute, which was founded in 1853 and is named after Warrnambool's Public Librarian, Ralph Pattison.

The publisher firm Longmans, Green & Co. was founded in 1724 in London by Thomas Longman under the name Longman. In August of that year, he bought the two shops and goods of William Taylor and set up his publishing house there at 39 Paternoster Row. The shops were called Black Swan and Ship, and it is said that the 'ship' sign was the inspiration for Longman's Logo. After many changes of name and management, the firm was incorporated in 1926 as Longmans, Green & Co. Pty Ltd. The firm was acquired by Pearson in 1968 and was known as Pearson Longman or Pearson PLC.

Significance

This collection of papers and speeches of politician Benjamin Disraeli is significant as a window into the political background of the Victorian era.
The book is important for its connection with the London publisher Longmans, Green & Co. The firm has been established for over two centuries and is renowned for publishing encyclopedias, dictionaries, books on English grammar, textbooks, poetry, reference books, novels, magazines and more.
The book has additional importance for its connection to the Pattison Collection, which, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institutes’ Collection.
The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and its important role in people's intellectual, cultural and social development throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes.
The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance.

Physical description

Wit and Wisdom of Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield: collected from his writings and speeches
Author: Benjamin Disraeli
Publisher: Longmans Green and Co
Date: 1886 (new edition, first printed in 1881)
Brown cloth hardcover book with blue reinforcing on spine and corners. Inscriptions are on stickers, a label, a stamp, and handwritten on the fly page. The book is part of the Pattison Collection.

Inscriptions & markings

Label on spine: "PAT 824 DIS"
Sticker on pastedown front endpaper: "Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library" covered by a sticker "Corangamite Regional Library Service"
Stamp on front loose endpaper: "Corangamite Regional Library Service"
Handwritten on fly: "N" "257 (crossed out)" "8" "G 328 (crossed out)" "4" "265"