Descrizione

5 volumes. First Edition of each volume, with both U.S. and UK slugged title-pages, not uncommonly encountered. All volumes printed in the U.K. by Spottiswoode for Longman, and for U.S. distribution with only the title-page publisher's slug differing from the UK issue, noting Appleton as the publisher. Volumes I to IV with the Appleton imprint, volume V with the Longmans imprint. Impressively illustrated with 60 colour-tinted lithographic plates, 15 maps, most of which are multi-folding, and numerous woodcuts, mostly in text but one large and folding. 8vo, beautifully and very handsomely bound in three-quarter brown calf over marbled paper covered boards, the spines with raised bands gilt tooled separating the compartments which are elaborately decorated in all over gilt tooled panel designs, contrasting red and sepia lettering labels gilt, green morocco numbering label gilt, all edges marbled, a superbly bound set. xxxvi, 578; xi, 676, xii, 635; xiv, 641; xi, 694, errata. A superior set, very fine and bright, the text unusually clean and fresh, the plates fine and vivid with tissues intact, one of the folding maps with separations at the folds, most of the others essentially pristine and without evidence of use, the bindings in pristine condition and truly handsome.