This beautiful antique edition of Oliver Goldsmith's Poetical and Prose Works was published by Gall and Inglis. The book is undated but I've seen these bindings with inscriptions and they usually date from the 1880's.
The book is bound in original red cloth over bevelled boards, with blind stamped decoration in black and gilt to the front board and spine. The front board has an inlaid metal portrait of an angel which is really striking.
The book is in good condition but there is heavy fading to the spine and around the edges of the boards. There is wear and bumping to the board edges and corners, with the cloth fraying slightly to one corner. Crushing to the spine ends has caused splitting and minor loss to the cloth. There is also minor marking to the cloth and rubbing to the front.
Inside, there is cracking to the hinges, revealing the webbing beneath and there is soiling to the endpapers and the pages show age toning throughout. There is also sporadic foxing and a small tear to the bottom of the title page at the gutter. The book features a handful of black and white illustrations taken from engravings on steel. Each page also has a decorative border which makes it an extra special read.
Dimensions approximately 19.6cm x 13.7cm x 3.3cm.
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 biodegradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).