Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Author William Armstrong Crozier originally published the contents of Virginia County Records, in magazine format. When the periodical was terminated, ten volumes in the first series and one in a new series had been published. With the exception of Volume I (New Series), which focuses on Westmoreland County, the articles in these books range over numerous Virginia counties and record categories. Four volumes in the first series (VI, VII, IX and X ) are miscellaneous in nature; however, since their contents were originally prepared for publication in a periodical, researchers will find that the same record subject (e.g., Accomack County Land Grants) is often treated in more than one volume. In such cases, researchers may wish to acquire all the Miscellaneous volumes related to their county(ies) of interest. This volume and Volume I (New Series) are on sale at the present time.
Synopsis
This is an extremely useful and comprehensive illustrated dictionary of heraldic terms, a necessity whether one's interest is that of an artist, engraver, heraldist, librarian, or genealogist. The outstanding feature of this book is the set of 47 plates (done by Elvin) depicting over 2,500 illustations of the various heraldic charges, with blazonings, arranged by subject headings such as "Badges," "Bend," "Chevron," "Cross," and the like, thus providing a complete dictionary of terms, each term having an exact reference to a matching illustration. As a result, the identification of unrecognized charges is easy. The usefulness of the book for the study of heraldry is manifest; it can be used quite readily by almost anyone at any stage of study and research. In a science as complex and exacting as heraldry, Elvin's "Dictionary" provides much needed clarification and, as it were, ventilation--no small contribution to any discipline.