This treasure of a book is from the early Victorian era, dated for 1843 by the owner Louise P Gaskell. It features a collection of verse, hand coloured images and prints. The book is bound in full Morocco with stunning gilt decoration to the boards and spine. It's a really attractive binding and it's in very good condition. There is wear to the corners and board edges which has caused loss to the surface of the leather. The boards show light rubbing and marking. The gilt on the front and spine is a bit dulled when compared to the back. There is also loss to the surface of the leather along the spine edges and ends.
Inside, the book has contemporary endpapers. The rest of the pages show age toning throughout, with sporadic foxing and marking. There is creasing to the tissue guard for the title page and Miss Louisa P Gaskell has written on the title page, starting the album on 25th December 1843. The book must have been a Christmas gift. The album contains a collection of prints, verse, writings, and hand coloured drawings. There are also a handful of blank, unused pages. Two pages have been glued together, hiding the writing inside - which makes one very curious what was written there (this page has a small tear to the edge).
Dimensions approximately 24cm x 18.7cm x 1.6cm.
The book will arrive hand wrapped in bubble wrap, patterned paper and ribbon.
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).