1892 Cranford by Mrs Elizabeth Gaskell / Macmillan & Co., London / Numerous Delightful Illustrations by Hugh Thomson / Beautiful Boards

An extremely sought after edition of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford. Macmillan and Co. Ltd, London first produced a copy of Cranford in 1891, this copy is from just a year later in 1892. Opens with a detailed Preface by Anne Thackeray Ritchie and with numerous charming line drawing illustrations by Hugh Thomson throughout (see photos). Thomson is well known for illustrating works by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and JM Barrie. 

It is these illustrations and the decorative boards in particular which make this such a collectable copy. The boards are of the same dark green and gilt style as the iconic peacock Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice covers. The Cranford design has a large floral plant in a pot behind a tray which is laid with a tea service.

This antique copy is 133 years old and the overall condition is good. With a lean to the spine and spotting through the pages being the main condition points of note. 

In more detail: The pages are clean and tightly bound but do have a good deal of spotting throughout which is common with this edition. With a couple of inscriptions on the half-title page dated 1892 and 1936, plus an Ex Libris home library book plate on the front paste down (see photos). Cracks open at the gutter in one place near the end, and with just the start of a partially cracked rear hinge - but minor. The pages are edged on all sides with gilt which remains bright and shiny. Opens with a tissue-guarded illustrated frontispiece. As mentioned above the book has become cocked (slanted) over time but this in no way effects the binding of the text block which is good and strong.

In the striking dark green cloth covered boards with shiny gilt decoration. The front board has some rubbing of the cloth on the bottom front corner tip, to reveal the board beneath. Has a few tiny white specks across the top front, and one small white mark on the rear board. The gilt on the front has rubbed a little in places and the "N" in Cranford has been rubbed away. The gilt on the spine has also rubbed a bit but still remains very distinct. Has a couple of small nicks in the cloth at the head of the spine. This is an eye-catching book to display.

Your antique copy of Cranford will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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H 18.5 cm x W 13 cm, 298 pages, 0.5 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. With the exception of a small number of countries.

* If you would prefer your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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