This stunning Florentine binding of George Eliot's Romola was published by Smith, Elder and Co in 1886. It's a gilt decorated parchment book, with bevelled boards and all edges tinted red. ***Please note there is one detached page segment - pages 7 - 11. The edges of these loose leaves are a little ragged.***
It's in very good condition, with just light discolouration to the cover. There is crushing to the spine ends and the top edges of the boards are soiled.
Inside, the endpapers are floral and there are gilt inner dentelles. There is a bookseller's sticker to the bottom corner of the front pastedown. There are two names written on one of the preliminary pages and another name on the half title page. The pages show light age toning and scattered foxing. The book is illustrated with 22 real photographic plates of scenes of Florence.
Dimensions approximately 18.2cm x 13cm x 4cm.
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).