This beautiful, antique edition of Glaucus or Wonders of the Shore By Charles Kingsley was published in 1858 by Macmillan and Co. It was the third edition of this popular nature book, but it was the 1st combined edition, including the "companion" with coloured illustrations by G Sowerby.
The book is bound in original green pebbled cloth with blind stamped decoration and gilt to the front and spine. All edges gilt. It's in good condition but there is faint water damage to the edges of the boards. The corners are worn and crushed, and the boards show some small stains. There is dulling and darkening to the spine, whilst crushing to the spine ends has caused minor splitting in the cloth.
Inside, there is slight cracking to the hinges as well as occasional cracks to the gutter - despite this, the pages remain tightly bound. There is a name in pen to the front pastedown, and a bookseller's sticker to the bottom corner. There is another name in pencil to the half title page. The pages show fluctuating levels of age toning throughout, as well as scattered foxing. There are beautiful colour plates gathered towards the end of the book, as well as a publisher's catalogue.
Dimensions approximately 17cm x 11cm x 2.6cm.
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).