This lovely edition of The Poetical Works of Longfellow was published by George Routledge in 1887. It's bound in full tree calf leather, with five raised bands and gilt tooling to the spine. All edges are gilt.
Tree calf leather is one of my favourite types of binding in antique books - 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. So it's nice to see a book from the late 20's in this binding.
It's in good condition and the tree calf leather is in good order, with just light scuffing and scratching. There is a small bump to the top edge of the back board and rubbing to the corners. There is cracking to the external front joint but it's still securely attached. The spine is sunned and rubbed, with minor chipping to the surface of the leather.
Inside, the endpapers are beautifully marbled and there are gilt inner dentelles. The pages are clean and bright with only light age toning and occasional foxing. There is a written inscription on one of the preliminary blank pages.
Dimensions approximately 20.5cm x 15cm x 4.3cm
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).