This beautiful antique edition of John Milton's Poetical Works was published by Gall and Inglis. The book is undated but I'd estimate it to be from the late Victorian era (circa 1880/1890).
The book is bound in full leather over bevelled boards, with intricate blind stamped decoration and gilt to the front board and spine. All edges gilt. The front has an inset celluloid piece with stunning floral decoration.
It's in very good condition but wear to the leather has caused some surface loss in places. The top corner of the back board has split to reveal the board beneath. There is rubbing to the front title and spine ends.
Inside, there is slight cracking starting to the front hinge but the pages remain tightly bound. The pages show light age toning and occasional finger marks but are otherwise clean and bright. The book features a handful of black and white illustration plates taken from engravings on steel.
Dimensions approximately 17.2cm x 11.8cm x 3.7cm.
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).