This stunning edition of Beauty of Common Things by Mrs Whymper was published by The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Illustrated by 12 drawings from nature and printed in colour by William Dickes. The book is undated but after some research I'd estimate it to have been published circa 1870/1880.
The book is bound in red cloth with ornate blind stamped decoration and gold gilt to the front board. It's a really beautiful book, despite it's wear, but I have priced it accordingly.
As can be seen quite clearly from the photo, there is a circular area of damp damage to the centre of the front board which has discoloured the cloth and obscured the title. The damp damage has swollen the board so it's raised in the centre. The rest of the book is in better condition. There is wear and fraying to the corners, and the board edges show rubbing and bumping. The boards have marking and soiling, and there is some discoloured areas to the back board. The spine is faded and marked, and crushing to the spine ends has caused some splitting in the cloth.
Inside, there is rippling to the front free endpaper and the pages show light age toning and foxing. There are some cracks to the gutter in places but the pages remain tightly bound. One of the tissue guards has been removed.
Dimensions approximately 28cm x 22cm x 2cm.
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 bubbled 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.