Unlocking a 250 Year Old Box Of Rare Books

In today's video I open an explore a locked 250-year-old box of books.

[Butbaba]

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 🙏 🤗.

[hannahstraining]

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.

[Pneumatheos]

Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke was an Admiral in the British navy. Died when his small landing craft was struck by lightning. Extraordinary find !!!

[jakekatella]

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.

[daviddoyle]

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.

[londonguy]

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

[JayeCole]

Now THIS is my kind of unboxing video. 📚

[kathyericson]

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.

[finchlear]

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.

[JamesRattray]

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.

[Jimjameslewis]

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.

[bogarte]

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.

[GooeyGluey]

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.

[chipnjoannie]

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.

[Knitting_n_Trucking]

You should get some wide ribbons to put around the books when dropping them in to make it easier to get out safely.

[Jack]

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.

[yorkshirepudding]

Thank you for letting us live vicariously through you! What an amazing find.

[roytee]

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.

[gwae]

WOWWWW WHAT A MOMENT, THNX FOR ALLOWING US TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER 🤗 WHAT A FIND

[Bazscoobz]

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