Date range based on form of publisher's name and address. Cf. Topp, Chester W. Victorian yellowbacks & paperbacks, Vol. VII, 2003

A few chromolithographed plates are with imprint: "Ben George, London.". All are with title captions. Plates printed on glossy white paper.

Includes elaborate wood-engraved illustrated initials and tail-pieces. Several are with signature: "[PV?] or [RV?]".

Publisher's advertisements on p. [1-16] at end.

MASS copy: Bound in blue fine diagonal rib-grain cloth blocked in gold, black and blind in the same design as McLean D 0512, McLean D 0513, McLean D 0515 and McLean D 0516. With rectangular sunken panel cut in upper board laid with textured gold paper. Panel with green morocco onlay laid with red and lavendar silk, both cut in the shape of two flowers. Spine with imprint: "Cassell & Company, Limited". Boards with bevelled edges; a.e.g. With black painted endpapers. Spine with gold stamp: "Elswick Mechanics Institute Library". Upper paste-down endpaper with label describing lending library rules: "Elswick Works' Literary and Mechanics' Institute.".