This ornate edition of Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore was published by Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts in 1861. So the book is from the early to mid Victorian era. It's a really fine example of the beauty of Victorian book binding, and even though it's got noticeable wear, it's a wonderful book to handle.
The book is bound in blue grey cloth over bevelled boards, with ornate gilt decoration to the spine and boards. The text block edges are also gilt. It's in fair condition but the book shows a forward lean and the corners have wear and minor fraying to the cloth. The gilt is slight dulled on the front board when compared to the back, and the gilt on the spine is very dulled and rubbed. The boards show minor marking and the spine is faded, with crushing to the spine ends which has caused some splitting in the cloth. There is some scuffing to the gilt edges.
Inside, there is damage to one page which has been covered over with sellotape (thankfully this is one of the preliminary blank pages). The pages show age toning, with significant foxing to the first few and last few pages. The rest of the pages show only sporadic foxing. Sadly the illuminated title page is detached and is missing some paper to the top corner. The rest of the pages remain tightly bound, but there is a crack to the gutter at the title page.
The book is filled with beautiful black and white illustrations which add to the charm of this antiquarian volume.
Dimensions approximately 24cm x 18.5cm x 4.2cm.
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 biodegradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).