PETER PARLEY'S TALES - Complete 14-Volume "Library of Instruction" in the Original Glazed Bookcase

£1,200

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Category

Furniture Chests, Coffers & Cases

Reference

32210

An unusually attractive and complete nineteenth-century Peter Parley "Library of Instruction", comprising fourteen uniformly bound volumes preserved in their original purpose-made wooden bookcase with original glazed door.
The books are various editions published principally by Thomas Tegg between 1839 and 1846, uniformly bound in the publisher's striking red cloth, elaborately decorated and lettered in gilt, with the characteristic seated figure of Peter Parley to each spine. Extensively illustrated throughout with wood engravings, frontispieces and maps.
The collection comprises Europe, Asia, Africa and America; Plants; Mythology of Greece and Rome; Great Britain and Ireland; Universal History; Animals; United States; Sun, Moon and Stars; Modern Geography; Rome and Modern Italy; Christmas; The Sea and the Islands in the Pacific Ocean; Greece; and Lives of Franklin and Washington.
Of particular note, Europe, Asia, Africa and America is the sixth edition, 1846, described on the title page as "greatly enlarged" and illustrated with 180 engravings on wood. Tales About the Sea is also the sixth edition, illustrated with 79 engravings.
The survival of the entire fourteen-volume library together in its original glazed cabinet is particularly appealing and considerably less common than individual Peter Parley volumes.

Miniature Mahogany Bookcase, wall cabinet with collection of books by Peter Parley.
Peter Parley's Tales is a popular 19th-century children's book series created by American author Samuel Griswold Goodrich under the pseudonym Peter Parley

The 14 Volumes are,
1. Europe and Asia,
1846 in fairly good condition, some scribbles on inside cover.
2. About Plants.
1839 Very good condition
3. Mythologie of Greece
1839, Very good condition
4. Great Britain and Ireland
fourth ed. Very good condition
5. Universal History
Fourth ed. Very good condition
6. Tales about Animals.
MDCCCXLIII Good condition
7. United States
1839. Very good condition
8. About the Sun
Fourth ed. MDCCCXLII. Very good condition
9.Modern Geography
1839 Very good condition
10. Rome and modern Italy
1839 Very good condition
11. Tales about Christmas
1840 second ed. Very good condition
12. Tales about the Sea
Sixth ed.Very good condition
13. Tales about Greece
1845 Third ed.Very good condition
14. Lives of Franklin and Washington
1839 some staining on fist two pages with image and text.

Dimensions:

Height 35 cm / 14"

Width 26 cm / 10 "

Depth 13.5 cm / 5 "

Period

1800-1849

Year

1939 - 46

Medium

Paper

Country

United Kingdom

Condition

Generally very good for age. The gilt decoration remains notably bright and attractive, with expected rubbing, minor fading and handling wear to the original cloth. Most volumes are internally very good. Europe, Asia, Africa and America has some juvenile markings/scribbling to the inside cover; Tales About Animals shows somewhat greater general wear; and Lives of Franklin and Washington has staining to the first two leaves. Occasional minor spotting, toning and other age-related marks elsewhere. The original wooden two-tier bookcase retains its original glass and displays a pleasing period patina. There is a small area of wood loss at the lower right-hand corner of the glazed door, which would benefit from a sympathetic conservation repair. Otherwise the case presents very well. A highly decorative and remarkably complete survivor of a Victorian children's educational library.