This beautiful antique edition of The Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was published by Frederick Warne. The book is undated but I'd estimate it to be from the late Victorian or Edwardian era (circa 1900-1910).
The book is bound in full tree calf leather with five raised bands to the spine and intricate gilt decoration. The text block edges are all gilt. There is a blind stamped school insignia in gilt to the front board.
Tree calf leather is one of my favourite types of binding and this particular edition is in very good condition for it's age. The leather is treated with acid to change it's colour and produce a beautiful tree like effect to the boards. Sadly tree calf leather began to decline in popularity before the First World War and by the 1920's, it was almost non existent.
The book is in good condition but there is wear and loss to the surface of the leather at the corners and board edges. The boards show some faint scratches and scuffs, and minor chips to the leather. There is cracking to the surface leather of the spine, and minor loss to the surface at the spine ends. The top edge of the text block is dulled.
Inside, the endpapers are beautifully marbled and there is a written inscription (alongside a further written name) on one of the preliminary blank pages. The pages show some age toning and scattered foxing, but are in very good, antique condition.
Dimensions approximately 19.6cm x 14.5cm x 5.3cm.
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 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).