This lovely antique edition of The Poetical Works of Mrs Hemans was published by William Collins, Sons and Co. The book is undated but there is a presentation plate dated 1880. So the book is from the mid to late Victorian era.
This lovely book is bound in grey green cloth over bevelled boards with delicate gilt detailing and blind stamped decoration to the front board and spine. The front board also has a grey and gold indented decoration to front board which is really eye catching - it's got a pretty floral design. All edges gilt.
It's in very good condition with just minor marking to the cloth and wear/crushing to the corners. The spine is lightly sunned, with rubbing to the spine edges and crushing to the spine ends has caused minor splitting in the cloth.
Inside, there is a presentation plate glued to the front pastedown. The preliminary pages feel a little loose, with cracking to the gutter, and there is sporadic foxing in places.
There are a handful of black and white plates by Thomas Seccombe.
Dimensions approximately 18.5cm x 13.3cm x 3.8cm.
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).