Popular Scientific Recreations, Gaston Tissandier — New and Enlarged Edition

Name: Popular Scientific Recreations, Gaston Tissandier — New and Enlarged Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5079
Price: 60.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Ward, Lock & Bowden, Limited, [c. 1895]

Formatting: 8vo, pp. x, 884.

Condition Report: Very Good. The volume presents exceptionally well, shielding its striking original red cloth binding beneath an aftermarket clear plastic wrapper that has evidently preserved the brilliant vibrancy of the gilt and black tooling. The binding remains remarkably tight and square for a heavy Victorian tome of this size, exhibiting only trivial rubbing to the spine ends and corners without any significant structural weakness. Internally, the pages are highly clean and supple, showing merely light and uniform age-toning to the text block edges and minor, isolated foxing to the preliminary leaves. The hinges are perfectly sound, entirely avoiding the cracking and separation that is typically endemic to these profusely illustrated, heavy-paper texts.

Condition Report: This 'New and Enlarged Edition' represents a substantial expansion of the author's original work, profusely illustrated with nearly 900 engravings that capture the golden age of parlour science and mechanical experimentation.

The present copy features an 1898–99 Bolton School Board (Central Higher Grade School) presentation prize bookplate affixed to the front paste-down, awarded to Jas. Percy Haslam for 'Regular and Punctual Attendance.' Copies of this specific enlarged printing that retain such vivid, unfaded original cloth are distinctly uncommon on the open market, as these instructional works were typically subjected to heavy, destructive use by their youthful Victorian readership.

A veritable treasure trove of Victorian ingenuity, Popular Scientific Recreations offers a fascinating window into late-nineteenth-century scientific education and domestic amusement. Translated and adapted from Gaston Tissandier's acclaimed Les Récréations Scientifiques, this encyclopaedic volume demystifies the principles of physics, chemistry, geology, and astronomy through hundreds of practical, hands-on experiments designed for the home. Accompanied by intricate engravings, it remains an enchanting guide to the scientific marvels and mechanical parlour tricks that captivated the era.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Gaston Tissandier

Book Publisher: Ward, Lock & Bowden, Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Science & Medical

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 894

Book Publication Year: 1895

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.