Books

This is a pair of books, which deserve to be kept together. Both are the ultra-rare gift binding of early Roberts Brothers publications, the first edition of the second series, dated 1891, and the eighth edition of the third series, dated 1892, with white leather spine and corners, paper-covered boards in floral pattern that matches the inside boards and the endpapers, and gilt page edges (here still bright all around). The second series book mentions the lesser-priced at the time cloth bindings, of $1.25 and $1.50; the added quality of this binding is evident in the original price of $3.50. Single copies of this partial-leather binding are rare, and this pairing even more so. Both books are unmarked and with no major flaws; some craquelure and flaking to the spines; the leather sections of the boards show wear and soiling, with small chips; Mylar protected.