Cassell's Illustrated Readings, First and Second Series bound as one, c. 1870

Cassell's Illustrated Readings, First and Second Series bound as one. An illustrated compendium of 'Penny Readings' to be read and shared with the family or a wider audience. Such writings would presumably have been originally published as smaller, regular issues, sold for a Penny. Contains the writings of popular literary figures of the day, including fiction and poetry. Authors include, Washington Irving, Benjamin Franklin, Sir Walter Scott, William Shakespeare, Leigh Hunt, Byron, Longfellow, Swift and Defoe, amongst many others. Copiously illustrated.

Published by Cassell, Petter & Galpin, London, Paris & New York. Undated, but from appearances, c. 1870.

A very good hardback volume with brown leather spine and corners with raised bands, and tooled gilt design and black morocco title label. Buckram cloth over boards. Leather is scuffed and bumped, and boards lightly worn with a few marks. Binders ink stamp to first pastedown.

Some age spotting to first few pages, but text otherwise bright, clean and soundly bound. An attractive volume with its copious illustrations.

Text in English.

viii + 416pp + vii + 384pp + Plates.

Dimensions: Approximately: 273mm x 203mm x 51mm.

Substantial - weighs approximate 2.13kg unpacked.