2 volumes. vii, 379; [4], 412 pp. 9x5¾, bound in full period black morocco, entire front and rear covers elaborately with decorative blind-stamping, front and rear cover borders decoratively stamped in gilt, spines tooled and lettered in gilt, light brown endpapers, inner gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, both with different double fore-edge paintings. Publisher’s “Large Paper” Edition, one of only 100 sets printed.
Handsomely bound two volume set, both with double fore-edge paintings by the same artist, each showing lovely outdoor scenes, including boats on water, people enjoying the day walking on the grass, fishing (one casting a fly), throwing sticks for dogs, surrounded with trees, three fore-edges with a bridge, and each with at least one or two houses / buildings in the backgrounds. Fore-edge paintings are nicely disguised when the books are closed; painted circa late nineteenth century. No frontispiece present.
Condition:
Nicks to joints and edges, repairs to spine ends (upwards to an inch), corners lightly bumped, mild rubbing; hinges tender; large tear to Volume I front free endpaper and a preliminary a bit loose; both with spots to endpapers and previous owner’s signature dated 1829; very good or better with clean and well-preserved fore-edge paintings.