This stunning antique edition of The Poetical Works of William Cowper was published by George Routledge and Sons. The book itself is undated but these bindings usually date to the late Victorian era (circa 1890).
The book is bound in red cloth over bevelled boards with beautiful floral decoration to the boards and spine. All edges gilt. It's in very good condition with the main flaw being the fading to the spine. There is crushing to the spine ends which has caused minor splitting in the cloth. There is light wear to the corners and spine ends, and the top of the back board is faded. There are some scuff marks to the gilt text block edges.
Inside, there is some pencilled writing on the verso of the FFEP. The pages are clean and bright, with only light age toning and occasional foxing - there is heavier foxing to the preliminary and end pages. There is a small tear to the tissue guard for the frontispiece.
Dimensions approximately 19cm x 13.5cm x 3.8cm.
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).