The Illustrated Book of the Dog by Vero Shaw (1881) - Illustrated Antique Book

With wonderful chromolithographic plates - here is a wonderful antique book on canine breeds, their history and their care. The Illustrated Book of the Dog by Vero Shaw. With an Appendix on Canine Medicine and Surgery. Undated, but published in 1881 by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co., London. A VERY LARGE and HEAVY book. Condition and dimensions in detail below.

Published during the height of the Victorian era's obsession with dog breeding and the rise of formal kennel clubs, the book serves as a definitive guide to the canine world of the late 1800s. Featuring highly detailed monographs on dozens of specific breeds, tracing their origins, working purposes, and the evolving standards of Victorian show dogs. Providing comprehensive advice of the period regarding dog management, kennel construction, feeding, training, and veterinary medicine. It captures a crucial transitional moment in history when dogs were shifting from purely working animals (hunting, herding, vermin control) into prized companion animals and high-society status symbols.

Beyond its text, the book is legendary for its visual documentation. Containing 28 stunning, full-page chromolithograph plates based on paintings by prominent animal artists of the day, such as Chalon and Lutyens. These plates depict the idealised "champion" dogs of the 1870s and 1880s, making the book a vital historical record showing how dramatically specific breeds (like Bulldogs, Mastiffs, and Terriers) have changed in appearance over the last 150 years. There are also multiple engraved illustrations and diagrams.

Inside the pages are tightly bound. There is wear to the blank endpapers which have tears, folds and spotting. With some loss to one of the rear blank endpapers. Otherwise some scattered spotting and occasional handling mark through the text. The odd small tear to a page edge. Two larger closed tears to the leaves at p.109 and p.111 (see photos). All of the colour plates are present. They have some scattered spotting, a few handling marks, and two of the plates have some staining (see photos). One plate is mispaginated but present (p.297 is actually at p.274). Marbled page edges.

In a black leather half-binding. With black mottled cloth to the sides. Five raised bands to the spine with gilt motif in each compartment and gilt to the bands themselves. Red Moroccan leather title plate. Overall spine is very good. Some scuffs and wear to the boards and leather corner pieces.

Your copy of The Book of the Dog will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged with tracking. I am always happy to include a gift message in the parcel if desired.

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H 28 cm x W 24 cm, pp. 664, 3 kg. I dispatch daily from the UK.

* 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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