This beautiful antique edition ofA Thousand and One Gems of English Poetry was selected and arranged by Charles Mackay and published by George Routledge and Co in 1878. It's finely bound in full Morocco, with gilt tooling to the boards and spine. The spine also features four raised bands and all edges are gilt. The book features gilt inner dentelles - it's a really striking binding.
The book is in very good condition, with light wear and crushing to the bottom corners. There is some marking to the leather and a long chip to the surface of the leather at the top corner of the back board. There is light wear to the spine ends and a bump to the top edge of the back board.
Inside, there is a written inscription on the front free endpaper. The pages show light age toning and occasional foxing but the text is clear and bright.
The book features beautiful black and white illustrations by numerous artists including John Tenniel (best known for illustrating Lewis Carroll's work).
Dimensions approximately 20cm x 15.5cm x 4.8cm.
The book will arrive hand wrapped in patterned wallpaper and string.
I use a range of eco friendly, 100% recyclable jiffy bags and boxes, and whenever possible I use brown paper tape. The green bubble wrap is oxo-degradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).