This beautiful edition of Familiar Wild Flowers is Volume ii in what would have originally been a set of 5 books. It is bound in green cloth with gilt decoration to the front board and spine. The book features a hand painted floral image to the front boards and the text block edges are gilt. The boards are bevelled and there are 40 bright colour illustration plates inside. It was published by Cassell, Petter, Galpin and Co and even though the book is undated, it would have originally been issued in monthly parts from 1878 to 1884. This binding was issued just after this - so the book is from the late Victorian era.
The book is in good condition for it's age, but there is wear and bumping to the corners, with some minor splitting to the cloth. The boards show light marking and scuffing, and the book shows a backwards lean. The board edges show light shelf wear and the spine is darkened with faint rubbing to the spine edges. The spine ends are crushed which has caused some splitting in the cloth.
Inside, there is cracking to the hinges, and the pages show age toning and significant foxing throughout, with occasional marking.
Each flower is illustrated in colour by Hulme and described in detail, including its habitat and medicinal use. There were eventually nine volumes, the last of which was published posthumously.
Dimensions of each volume is 19.8cm x 14cm x 3cm.
The books will arrive securely wrapped in bubble wrap, 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 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).