This lovely antique book of The Language and Poetry of Flowers was published by Milner and Company. The book is undated but there is a name and address written at the back of the book dated 1890. So the book is from the mid to late Victorian era.
The book is bound in dark brown cloth over bevelled boards, with stunning blind stamped decoration in black and gilt to the front board and spine. It's in good condition but there is dulling to the gilt and light marking to the boards. The corners are worn, with some fraying to the cloth, and the board edges show light shelf wear. The spine is darkened, with crushing to the spine ends which has caused minor splitting in the cloth. There is a slightly larger split to the bottom of the back hinge and a small hole in the cloth towards the middle of the same joint.
Inside, there is a beautifully written inscription on the reverse of the FFEP and the endpapers show significant age toning and minor staining. There is cracking to the hinges, revealing the binding webbing. The rest of the pages show lighter age toning, with sporadic marking and foxing. There are occasional cracks to the gutter but all the pages remain tightly bound. There are only three colour plates (there should be four) so one if missing.
Dimensions approximately 14.2cm x 11.5cm x 2.5cm.
The book will arrive hand wrapped in patterned wallpaper 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).