Date based on printer's address and presentation date in Massey College Library copy. Cf. Brown, Philip A. H. London publishers and printers, 1982.

Ward, Lock & Tyler took over the rights to all of S. O. Beeton's publications and the use of his name about April or May 1866. Cf. Topp, Chester W. Victorian yellowbacks & paperbacks, Vol. II, p. viii.

Sheets and colour wood-engraved plates, except for t.p. and the lack of "Index to Illustrations." (p. [xiii]-xvi), are the same as an 1865 edition of this title published by S. O. Beeton and printed by Stephen Austin. Wood-engraved plates [3] and [11] as found in the 1865 edition are missing in this edition. See McLean O 617.

This title was also published by Ward, Lock & Tyler and by F. Warne as part of the series "Beeton's boy's own library". Cf. OCLC, WorldCat.

Publisher's device printed on t.p.

Author's preface is dated 1864.

Includes small decorative wood-engraved initials.

Most wood-engraved plates are unsigned. One is signed "J. J. Hardwick and W. M. R. Quick". Other signatures include "W. Thomas" and "R. Huttula". A few col. wood-engraved plates are signed "E. Evans Sc.".

Some of the colour wood-engraved plates include areas printed in colour with metal.

Numerous wood-engraved illustrations within the text are signed "W. Thomas" or "W. L. Thomas" and many others are signed "J. J. Hardwick". Other signatures include J. C. Danby, C. P. Nicholls, R. Huttula, Ferrier, E. Evans, J. J. Portch and W. M. R. Quick.

MASS copy 1: Bound in red sand-grain cloth blocked in gold, black and blind. Upper cover with green paper onlay border blocked in gold and black. Boards with bevelled edges. Spine with imprint at head of title: "Beeton's Boy's Library." and below title: "Ward, Lock & Tyler". With green painted endpapers. Lacking wood-engraved plate [3].

MASS copy 2: Bound in red sand-grain cloth blocked in gold, black and blind in the same design as copy 1, but with the upper cover border design blocked in blind without the green paper onlay and blocking in gold and black. Boards with bevelled edges; a.e.g. Spine with imprint at head of title: "Beeton's Boy's Library." and below title: "Ward, Lock & Tyler". With prize inscription from "Oxford House" to "Mastr. Pocock for Good Conduct.".