This wonderful edition of The Young Lady's Book; A Manual of Elegant Recreations, Arts, Sciences and Accomplishments was published by H G Bohn in 1859. The binding is modern and appears to have been an apprentice piece or someone practising bookbinding. It's very amateurish, with quarter leather and marbled paper boards but no identifying marks on the spine. The text block edges are marbled (an old feature).
The book contains sections on Floristry, Entomology, Concology, Moral Deportment, Embroidery, The Toilet and Costume, and many many more. It's a fascinating read.
It's in good condition but the binding isn't quite big enough for the text block so the fore edge of the text block sticks out slightly. The top edge of the text block is dulled; the spine shows sunning and light staining.
Inside, the new endpapers are glued to the original marbled endpapers. The pages show light age toning and occasional handling marks but are otherwise clean and bright. There are occasional cracks to the gutter in places but the pages remain tightly bound. Pages 53 to 62 show evidence of a little bookworm (the style of the holes is very telling). There is a tea or coffee stain to pages 58 and 59 and this can be seen faintly to the adjacent pages. There is also a pressed flower between pages 62 and 63. There is a written inscription to one of the preliminary blank pages dated 1860.
The book features a phenomenal 1200 woodcut illustrations within the text.
Dimensions of each volume approximately 17.8cm x 11.7cm x 3.5cm.
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).