1854 Gems of Beauty Literary Gift Book Ornate Gilt Victorian Inscribed
$ 42.24
Description
1854 Gems of Beauty Literary Gift Book Ornate Gilt Victorian Inscribed. Year: 1854. Strong visual appeal (ornate gilt + color plates). Gems of Beauty: Or, Literary Gift for MDCCCLIV. Gilt decoration and page edges still display nicely. Original1854 Victorian gift book . Illustrations: Hand-colored engraved plates. Original 1854 Victorian gift book, Gems of Beauty: Or, Literary Gift for MDCCCLIV, edited by Emily Percival and published in Boston by Phillips, Sampson, and Company. This is a classic mid-19th-century American gift book, featuring ornate gilt-decorated cloth boards, gilt page edges, and hand-colored engraved plates throughout. These volumes were produced as keepsake and presentation books and are known for their elaborate bindings and decorative typography. 📖 Details Title: Gems of Beauty: Or, Literary Gift for MDCCCLIV Editor: Emily Percival Publisher: Phillips, Sampson, and Company, Boston Year: 1854 Binding: Original gilt-decorated cloth Illustrations: Hand-colored engraved plates Printed by: Wright & Hasty, Boston ✍️ Inscription / Provenance The front endpaper contains a period handwritten inscription naming Mary Warren, with later names Beatrice Warren and “Aunt Abby.” This volume came from the Henry Warren collection of Ashland, linking the book to a single family line across generations. ⚠️ Condition (Please Read) This is an authentic antique and shows expected age wear: Heavy wear to spine with loss at the top Edge wear, rubbing, and surface scuffing to covers Page toning and light foxing Binding remains intact Gilt decoration and page edges still display nicely All illustrated plates present (see photos) No modern repairs or restoration. Why This One Matters Genuine mid-19th-century American gift book Strong visual appeal (ornate gilt + color plates) Documented family ownership adds character and authenticity Ideal for collectors of Victorian books, decorative bindings, or literary ephemera
