This lovely edition of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte was published by Milner and Company Limited. The book is undated but I've been doing some research on the Publisher.
William Milner was born in Halifax in 1803 and set up his own printing press in August 1836. He specialised in printing cheap books that were affordable to a wider range of people. This was an era where books were expensive and many people used libraries because they couldn't afford to purchase books. He travelled around the country selling his books from a horse-drawn van. He sadly died in 1850 and the business was left to his two stepsons who renamed the publishing house Milner & Sowerby. This continued until 1883 when Milner and Company Limited was formed - the publisher given on the title page. At the back of the book, it says that they'd been providing cheap books for 50 years which would suggest that this edition of Jane Eyre is from the late 1880's or early 1890's.
The book is bound in red cloth over bevelled boards with gilt lettering to the front and spine. The text block edges are tinted red. It's in good condition but there is marking and soiling to the boards, with light wear and bumping to the board edges. The corners are worn with some fraying to the cloth at the bottom corners. The book shows a forward lean. The spine is darkened, with a splash mark to the cloth over the title. Crushing to the spine ends has caused minor splitting in the cloth.
Inside, the pages are tanned throughout with sporadic foxing and marking. There is a written name and address on the front free endpaper. There are some superficial cracks to the gutter in places but the pages remain tightly bound.
Dimensions approximately 17cm x 11.8cm x 2.5cm.
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).