This stunning little First Edition of Humming-birds by Mary and Elizabeth Kirby was published by Thomas Nelson and Sons in 1874. At the time of listing I can find only two other first editions for sale online. It is bound in brown cloth over bevelled boards with blind stamped detail in black and gilt to the front and spine. The mounted colour illustration is thick - I think it might be on a metal underlay. All edges gilt.
It's in good condition but there is wear and crushing to the corners which has caused minor splitting in the cloth. The board edges are worn and lightly bumped and there is very slight air bubbling to the cloth covering the boards. The front illustration is scuffed and chipped. The spine is slightly darkened, with rubbing to the spine edges; crushing to the spine ends has caused minor splitting in the cloth.
Inside, there is a slight crack to the front hinge and occasional cracks to the gutter - there are no loose pages. The front free endpaper has a presentation plate and there are initials in red ink on the front pastedown. The book has one colour plate in the form of the frontispiece. The pages show age toning and foxing throughout, with occasional stains. A past reader has dog eared some of the top corners which has left creasing behind.
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).