Universal History, on the Basis of Geography, Peter Parley — 7th Edition
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Publication: London, William Tegg, 1860
Formatting: 16mo, pp. N/A.
Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original blue cloth binding remains remarkably firm and attractive, with the intricate blind-stamped borders and bright gilt central cartouche remaining sharp and unoxidised. The spine exhibits some minor rubbing to the extremities and slight softening at the head and tail, but the heavy gilt tooling and titling remain distinctly legible and vibrant. The all-edges-gilt text block is bright, though showing faint signs of settling. Internally, the hinges appear sound. There is a discreet institutional stamp ("County Borough of Southport Public Libraries") to the verso of the title page alongside some standard accession marks, but the pages otherwise appear generally clean with only occasional scattered foxing. A tight, handsome copy that presents very well despite its subtle ex-library provenance.
Catalogue Note: Originally published in America in 1837 and largely ghostwritten by a young Nathaniel Hawthorne and his sister Elizabeth, Universal History, on the Basis of Geography was issued under Samuel Griswold Goodrich's highly successful "Peter Parley" pseudonym. The British rights were enthusiastically taken up by publisher William Tegg, who issued numerous reprints throughout the mid-nineteenth century.
This 1860 Seventh Edition is wonderfully bound in the publisher's decorative cloth and illustrated with maps engraved on steel by A. G. Findlay. While Tegg's mid-century Parley reprints are somewhat common in the broader market, finding them surviving in such vibrant, unoxidised publisher's cloth is increasingly scarce.
A charming mid-Victorian edition of the famous Peter Parley's Universal History, originally ghostwritten by American literary giant Nathaniel Hawthorne. Bound in striking blue and gilt publisher's cloth, this educational primer takes young readers on a global journey, offering a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century geography and historical instruction.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: Peter Parley
Book Publisher: William Tegg
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Antiquarian
Genre: Geography
Book edition:
Signed: No
Book Pages:
Book Publication Year: 1860
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: A. G. Findlay
Book Series: Peter Parley's Tales
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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