Descrizione

First edition, the London issue, printed and bound from the American sheets with title-page imprint reversed. A note in the books states that this copy was bought directly from the author's grandson. Profusely illustrated throughout based on photographs taken from the author, and with one (of two) of the large folding maps that are so frequently missing from the pocket at the end. So many copies have less than the two maps called for that one suspects they weren't always inserted in every book. Thick 8vo, publishers original navy cloth, with gilt vignette of a lion's head on the upper cover, gilt lettering to the spine, t.e.g. xiv, 535 pp. An unusually nice copy, the cloth in fine shape with almost no wear and only a light touch of mellowing to the spine panel, still very handsome, the hinges a bit shaken but strong and holding firmly, the text block quite bright and well preserved, solid and sturdy, unobtrusive evidence of old damp to the lower gutter, beginning in the final third of the book and reaching the text only in the final quarter, in all cases very mild.