1886 Gems of Womanhood by Samuel Mossman / Gall & Inglis, Edinburgh / Beautiful Decorative Binding / Lives of "Distinguished" Women

Here is a lovely antique Victorian book. Undated but with a Preface from 1870 and and inscription from 1886. Gems of Womanhood - or Sketches of Distinguished Women in Various Ages and Nations, by Samuel Mossman. Published by Gall & Inglis of Edinburgh and London.

Contents: Heroines in Times of Peril; Succourers in Days of Distress; Contributors to Literature and Art; Woman's Influence in the Political World; Woman's Influence in Society; Woman's Influence in the Domestic Sphere; Woman's Enduring Love and Filial Piety; Woman's Devotion to Religion. With sketches of Joan of Arc; Boadicea; Flora Macdonald; Grace Darling; African Women; Mrs Hemans amongst many others.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound. The opening hinge has been reinforced (see close-up photo). Has a neatly-inked prize inscription on the front free endpaper dated June 14th 1886, but with no other writing or markings of previous ownership. All edges are gilt. Has a colour steel engraved frontispiece, else unillustrated. Has developed a mild lean over time.

Beautifully bound in red cloth covered boards with ornate black and gilt decoration to the front and spine, and blind-stamped to the back. The bevelled edges have some mild rubbing at the corners . Has a couple of faint black marks on the back. The spine has a few tiny spits to the cloth at the head and tail, and one small 1 cm split at the top rear joint (see close-up photo). All gilt decoration remains shiny bright and this is an eye-catching book to display.

Your vintage copy of Gems of Womanhood 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.

FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

H 18 cm X 13.5 cm, 314 pages, 0.4 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

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

I post regular updates and new stock on Instagram @bumperboxofdelights