A fine set of Regency mahogany library steps first quarter 19th century

bearing a brass plaque with the engraved inscription:

Dr. J.J. Hannah, D.D., Deacon, Chichester, 1906

Very good restored condition; beautiful color and timber; leather treads replaced; top of left stile below upper most tread with repaired break now with a plug; upper most tread with repaired break to right edge and reeded molding; slight separation to hand holds at joins with supports; bottom two treads with repaired breaks; the bottom tread now with wooden dowels; the X-form stretcher with old repaired breaks to the front at joins with the bottom tread and now with patches, the back ends of the X-from stretcher with losses to blocks at joins with back vertical supports; overall with some old marks, scratches and scuffs; wear to ebonized decoration; paw feet with sunk casters; chips to front feet.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The translation of the plaque reads:

I dedicated funds towards the purchase of these steps, which, a long time ago, stood for many years in the library at Eartham; the funds were bequeathed to me by Thomas Fowler, S.T.P., C.C.C., vice chancellor of Oxford University; to whom nothing would have been more gratifying than that, by the use of his gift, the riches of this library should come more easily into the hands of readers.

J.J Hannah, Deacon at Chichester, 1906

The philosopher Thomas Fowler (1832–1904) was born at Burton upon Stather, Lincolnshire, educated at the private school of R. Ousby, curate of Kirton in Lindsey and matriculated as postmaster at Merton College, Oxford, in 1849.  In his final examinations in 1854, he obtained a first in classics and also a first in mathematics, as did his friend, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland).  He was a fellow and tutor of Lincoln College from 1855 to 1881 and was Wykeham professor of logic from 1873 to 1889. During this time, Fowler became involved in university business and was elected president of Corpus Christi College in 1881 and then vice-chancellor of the university from 1899-1901.

The son of Archdeacon Hannah and Anne Sophia Gregory, sister of the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, the Rev. John Julius Hannah (1843-1931) was educated at Oxford University and ordained in 1867.  He was Dean of Chichester Cathedral from 1902 to 1929.

Eartham possibly refers to Eartham House where the poet William Hayley lived from 1774 to 1800.  The nearby church contains a memorial by the sculptor John Flaxman to Hayley's son.