This stunning and scarce edition of Aesop's Fables was published by William Heinemann, London in 1912. First Edition Thus. It features wonderful artwork by Arthur Rackham. There are 12 colour plates and a collection of black and white line illustrations. It's bound in original publisher's cloth with gilt decoration to the front board and spine.
The book is in good condition but has undergone some restoration work to the spine. It's had a cloth spine reback, where a new cloth spine is inserted and the original spine is glued over the top. The cloth is clean and bright with minor marks, and the corners show wear and light crushing. The spine is sunned and crushing to the spine ends has caused some splitting in the cloth. There are a couple of small holes in the cloth along the joints.
Inside, there is a written inscription on the front free endpaper and the hinges are slightly cracked. The pages show age toning throughout, with sporadic foxing and occasional marking. There are some cracks to the gutter in places but the pages remain tightly bound.
Every colour plate has it's own captioned tissue guard and the illustrations by Arthur Rackham really bring this collection of animal fables to life.
Dimensions approximately 21cm x 15.6cm x 2.8cm.
The book will arrive 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 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).