This beautiful antique edition of The Fresh and Saltwater Aquarium by Rev J G Wood was published by George Routledge and Sons. The book itself is undated but I'd estimate the book to be from the mid to late Victorian era, circa 1880. ***Please note that two of the twelve plates are missing***
The book is bound in blue 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 some wear to the corners and bumping to the board edges. The book shows a slight forward lean and there are minor marks to the boards. The spine is sunned, with some loss to the gilt; the spine ends are crushed.
Inside, there is slight cracking to the front hinge and two pencilled letters to the top corner of the front pastedown. The frontispiece has been stuck back in with tape. The pages are clean and bright with minimal wear. There are some cracks to the gutters in places.
The book features stunning colour plates throughout - there are also black and white line drawings within the text.
Dimensions approximately 18.5ccm x 12.8cm x 2.2cm.
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 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).