This stunning edition of Andersen's Stories for the Household was published by George Routledge and Sons in 1895. So the book is late Victorian. The book is bound in original pictorial grey cloth over bevelled boards, with gilt detail to the front and spine. All edges gilt.
It's in good condition, with the book showing a slight forward lean and wear to the corners - this has caused slight splitting in the cloth at the bottom corners, revealing the board beneath. There is scuffing and minor marking to the gilt text block edges. The cloth shows minor marks, whilst rubbing to the gilt has caused slight loss. Crushing to the spine ends has caused splitting in the cloth and there is a larger 1.5 inch split to the top of the back joint. The text block is shaken.
Inside, there is slight cracking to the hinges and a written inscription on the front free endpaper. There is some pencilled writing on the verso of the frontispiece. The pages show age toning throughout, with scattered foxing. There is also occasional handling marks and creasing.
The book is filled with 290 illustrations - including both black and white line drawings within the text and full page colour illustration plates.
Dimensions approximately 21.2cm x 15.8cm x 4.7cm.
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 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).