This stunning antique edition of Beauties of Poetry and Gems of Art was published by Cassell Petter and Galpin. The book itself is undated but there is a written inscription inside dated 1872. So the book is from the mid Victorian era.
The book is bound in blue cloth with beautiful blind stamped decoration to the boards and spine. The front and spine also feature stunning gilt, and the boards are bevelled. The text block edges are gilt. It's quite an eye catching volume and in good condition for it's age.
The book shows a slight forward lean and there is wear and fraying to the corners. The boards have some rubbing and light discolouration around the edges, with minor marks. The boards edges are lightly bumped and the spine is sunned, with crushing to the spine ends which has caused some minor splitting in the cloth.
Inside, there is written inscription on the front free endpaper and cracking to the gutter in places. The pages show some age toning and sporadic minor marking/foxing.
The book includes a collection of Poems, Songs and Ballads and there are numerous black and white illustration plates.
Dimensions approximately 23cm x 17.5cm x 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 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).