This lovely, early edition of The Companion Letter Writer is a classic Victorian-era etiquette and correspondence guide, first published in 1866 by Frederick Warne and Co. There is a date at the bottom of the front board but it's hard to make out it looks like 186* but the final number is illegible. So this may be a first but it's not confirmed as I can't find any other first editions online to compare to.
Known formally as The Companion Letter Writer: A Complete Guide in Correspondence on All Subjects Relating to Friendship, Love, and Business, the book served as a practical manual for people needing help drafting formal and personal letters. It offered template letters, commercial forms, and advice on tone and formatting to ensure appropriate written communication.
It's in very good condition but there is marking and soiling to the orange cloth. The corners show light wear and crushing. There is rubbing to the spine and crushing to the spine ends.
Inside, there are publisher's advertisements to both the front and back. The pages are clean and bright with occasional minor foxing and marking. There are occasional cracks to the gutter and some page segments stick out slightly from the edge of the text block but the pages remain tightly bound.
Dimensions approximately 16.9cm x 11cm x 1.7cm.
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 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).
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).