This lovely Victorian edition of Scientific Dialogues Intended for the Instruction and Entertainment of Young People was published by Darton and Co. The book is undated but after some research, I've managed to date it to circa 1850's. It features a steel-engraved frontispiece & 200 woodcuts within the text. The book is bound in original cloth with blind stamped detail to the boards and gilt to the spine.
It's in good condition but is definitely showing it's age. There is a split in the cloth to the bottom of the back joint, whilst crushing to the spine ends has caused more minor splitting. The spine is dulled, with rubbing to the gilt so the detail isn't very clear. The boards show some marks and discolouration; the corners are worn and crushed, with the cloth split slightly to reveal the board beneath.
Inside, there is cracking to the hinges but the pages remain tightly bound. The pages show age toning throughout with sporadic foxing and handling marks. Occasionally there is creasing to the paper and some of the page edges are jagged (they appear to have been released uncut and separated by hand).
There are 200 woodcut illustrations within the text, and 1 steel engraved frontispiece. Dimensions approximately 16cm x 10.8cm x 3cm.
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).