This beautiful and scarce edition of Peter and Wendy by JM Barrie was published in 1911 by Hodder and Stoughton - the same year as the first edition. This is the sixth edition and was published in November (the first edition was published the month before). It's bound in original green cloth with gilt decoration to the front board and spine.
It's bound in a custom yapp suede binding (also known as a limp leather binding) but features the same gilt decoration as the original publisher's cloth. Yapp leather bindings originated from the medieval era but they became popular again in the late Victorian period. The leather extends over the edge of the book block in what's known as a yapp binding. This makes it very easy for the leather to become damaged and torn around the edges.
It's in good condition for it's age but there are condition points to be aware of. There is some wear and tear to the edges of the suede and loss to the surface of the leather. The gilt on the front shows minor dulling but the gilt on the spine is obscured from where the suede has creased. This has caused some vertical lines of loss in the gilt. The spine is also faded and discoloured, with loss to the suede at the tail of the spine. The back cover shows fading and discolouration, as well as minor marking. The text block edges are foxed.
Inside, there is tanning to the preliminary pages, and age toning and foxing to the rest of the pages. The text is clear and bright and the pages remain tight to the binding.
There are beautiful black and white illustration plates by FD Bedford throughout.
Dimensions approximately 22cm x 16cm x 3.6cm.
The book will be sandwiched between card to protect the suede, and then hand wrapped in patterned wallpaper and ribbon.
I use a range of eco friendly, 100% recyclable jiffy bags and boxes, and whenever possible I use brown paper tape. The green bubbled 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).