History for Ready Reference from the Best Historians, Biographers, and Specialists: Their Own Words in a Complete System of History in Seven Volumes (7 Volume set)

The first five volumes were published in 1894-1895 and volumes six and seven in 1910. There is a previous owner's name on the first blank page of several of the books. The covers appear to be all leather with contrasting spines and tips with gold trim. The leather on spine and tips is chipping and flaking off. The end papers are marbled and page edges are gilded. The hinges are all holding. Five of the volumes have light moisture stain along lower edge, not affecting the text. (See picture of title page) First end paper of Volume 1 is loose but present. The title page of Volume 2 is beginning to come loose but still attached. One of the map pages has a 1" tear at lower edge. Otherwise the pages are clean and tight. Volume 5 has a significant scuff on front cover. Volumes 6 and 7 have darker leather on spines. Volumes 1-5 comprise 3935 pages. Volumes 6-7 comprise 816 pages. This set of old books is still attractive and useable. Quote from the Preface to the Sixth Volume: "The six years that have passed since the original five volumes of this compilation were published, in 1894-95, have been filled with events so remarkable and changes so revolutionary in political and social conditions that the work has seemed to need an extension to cover them. The wish for such an extension, expressed by many people, led to the prepartion of a new volume, in which all the lines of the historical record are taken from the points at which they were dropped in the early volumes, and are carried to the end of the nineteenth century, and beyond it, into the opening months of the present year.".…