This lovely edition of Riverside Letters by George D Leslie was published by London Macmillan and Co in 1896. It's a stunning school prize binding, bound in full tree calf leather, with marbling to the text block edges. There is a striking school insignia blind stamped into the front board in gilt and the spine features five raised bands and floral gilt tooling.
Tree calf leather is one of my favourite bindings in antique books. The leather is treated with acid to change it's colour and produce a beautiful tree like effect to the boards. Sadly tree calf leather began to decline in popularity before the First World War and by the 1920's, it was almost non existent. So it's nice to see a book from the late 20's in this binding.
It's in very good condition with only light wear to the corners and board edges - the bottom corner of the back board is dented. The top edge of the text block is a little dulled and the boards show very faint scuffing and scratching. The leather is a little rubbed and there is a slight split starting to the top of the front joint.
Inside, the endpapers are marbled to compliment the boards and there is a presentation plate glued to the front pastedown. The pages are clean and bright with minimal age toning. There is a small stain to the Contents page.
Dimensions approximately 20cm x 13.5cm x 3cm
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).