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 to the spine and boards. The text block edges are marbled. There is a blind stamped school insignia in gilt to the front board - it's a curious one, with creatures featuring the front of a lion and the back half of a fish. I googled it, and apparently the creature is called a merlion.
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 very good condition with just slight bowing to the boards. There is light wear to the corners and board edges, and dulling to the top edge of the text block. There is minor loss to the surface of the leather along the spine edges and at the spine ends. The boards show minor scuffs and very faint scratches.
Inside, the endpapers are beautifully marbled and there is a presentation plate glued to the front pastedown, alongside a bookseller's sticker. The pages show light age toning and scattered foxing, but are in very good, antique condition.
Dimensions approximately 18.5cm x 13cm x 3.3cm.
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).