1909/1910 Harvard Classics Complete 50 Vol Set First Edition Five Foot Shelf
$649 · Offered by eBay
Complete 50-volume first-edition set of The Harvard Classics, edited by Charles W. Eliot and published by P.F. Collier & Son in 1909–1910. Also known as “Dr. Eliot’s Five-Foot Shelf of Books,” this is the complete original 50-volume collection covering literature, philosophy, history, science, religion, poetry, drama and other major works of Western thought. This is an attractive matching set in the original dark green cloth bindings with gilt spine lettering. Overall condition is Good vintage condition, especially considering the set is more than 115 years old. Most volumes show expected age-related shelf wear, rubbing and edge/corner wear, but remain attractive and display very well together. Important condition note: Volume 13, The Aeneid – Virgil, has substantial damage to the spine covering, with a large section of cloth missing/exposed beneath. This is by far the poorest-condition volume in the collection and is shown clearly in the photos. The remaining volumes are generally much better preserved. Some volumes show minor cloth fraying, edge wear, rubbing and age toning consistent with their age. Pages appear generally clean and intact. No known missing or torn pages and no known writing or markings within the text. Because this is a 50-volume antique set, every page has not been individually inspected. Includes Volumes 1 through 50. A difficult early Harvard Classics set to find complete and still matched after more than a century. Please review all photographs careful
- Year: 1909
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