Society Diffusion Useful Knowledge, First Edition (60 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Black-cloth octavo; 96, 264 p, b&w illus; 18 cm. Britain; Almanac. Moderate wear to bards, corners, and spine foot/head. Sunned spine, faint marks to boards, few pencil checkmarks and words to few pages and on pages 253-264, clean pages with tight binding. Very Good+. First edition (presumed; no earlier dates stated).

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Black-cloth octavo; 96, 260 p: b&w ill; 18 cm. Britain; Almanac. Bumped corners, faint marks to bards, little wear to spine head/foot, few pencil checkmarcks and words in margins of page 258-260 clean pages; tight binding. Very Good+. First edition (presumed; no earlier dates stated).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine(-). Black-cloth octavo; 96, 256 p.: b&w ill; 18 cm. Britain; Almanac. Mild wear and faint marks to boards, corner bumped, faint spots to few pages, clean pages; tight binding. Near Fine(-). First edition (presumed; no earlier dates stated).

Hard Cover. Condition: Good. First Edition. 1839 edition, 12mo, blue/black grained cloth lettered gilt at spine; the Companion for 1838 follows on for a further 250 odd pages, previous owner's contemporary name to fr pastedown and there is some wear to corners and spine extrems and the cloth at hinges is tender; inner paper hinges have cracked; Good Copy, close to VG Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

Leather. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. 12mo 7" - 7½" tall; 352 pages; 1836 Charles Knight & Company, London. Vol I only (of 2). Snugly bound in pale green polished calf with tiple fillet gilt rules to boards and decorative detail in blind to spine. Maroon title label to spine compartments. All edges marbled with matching marbled endleaves. Light rubbing and small areas of light skinning to leather of board surfaces. Illustrated with woodcut figures and plates throughout. Binding signed Slocombe & Simms, Leeds. Armorial bookplate of Henry Blands to front pastedown. Vol I only. VG thus.

Disbound. Condition: Good. First Edition. 96+264 pages. 2 works bound together. Stitching is tight but lacks spine and covers; text starts with title of first work. Appears complete from that point through closing blank. Some foxing; faint trace of damp to edges. Size: 12mo. Book.

first Edition. Good paperback copy; edges somewhat dust-dulled and nicked. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Publication details are suggeste, taken from year in title. Physical description: 96, 263 pages, [1] folded leaf of plates : illustrations, map, plan. Notes: Includes: The Companion to the almanac, or, Year-book of general information for 1835. Subjects: Almanacs, British. Almanacs. 3 Kg.

Hard Cover. Condition: Good. First Edition. Original cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling on spine. Slightly soiled covers and bumped corners. foxing to end papers. Small tears margins of a couple of pages. 96 & 258 pages illustrated. With fold-out plan of The National GalleryStatistics of Britain in 1837. Size: 12mo.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. Hardback copy in dark blue cloth boards with gold gilt lettering to spine, no dustjacket as issued. 258pp. With fold-out plan of The National Gallery. Not library copy, no underlined or highlighted text, no notes in margins Neat ink inscription to front pastedown some light foxing to endpapers. (63/2).

Softcover. Condition: Very Good. First edition. 31pp. Illustrated in black and white. String bound printed wrappers. Owner signature on the front wrappers, the delicate wrappers are frayed and soiled with small nicks along the edges and a small tear to the top of the front wrapper, a tear to the rear panel, and some edgewear to the pages not affecting the text which remains clean and bright, still very good. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was founded in 1826 in London and the *Library of Useful Knowledge* was its first series of publications, launched in 1827. The goal of the society was to publish useful information in a manner affordable to working class individuals unable to pursue formal studies or who simply preferred self-education.

first Edition. Good paperback copy; edges somewhat dust-dulled and nicked. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Publication details are suggeste, taken from year in title. Physical description: 96, 263 pages, [1] folded leaf of plates : illustrations, map, plan. Notes: Includes: The Companion to the almanac, or, Year-book of general information for 1835. Subjects: Almanacs, British. Almanacs. 1 Kg.

1st edition. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked, blind-bordered, sand-grain cloth. Slight suggestion only of dust-dulling and rubbing to the spine bands and panel edges. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Provenance: Bookplate of Henry Sewell Stokes to front pastedown. Physical description: 8 advertisement pages, 288 pages, 32 advertisement pages; illustrations; 18 cm. Subjects: Almanacs, English; Yearbooks Great Britain; Almanacs and calendars British Isles 19th century, 20th century; Victorian Period, Almanacs. 3 Kg.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. First Edition. Cloth covered boards with leather title label to spine. Boards are generally rather worn with the cloth rubbed through along the spine edges however the binding is tight. Contents clean and bright. Book seller's stamp on contents page. Free end paper m. C00000352.

First Edition. 72pp. Original publication bound into one volume in cloth. Bound with "The companion to the Almanac or Yearbook of General Information for 1834 (259pp with a curious 2pp annex detailing a correspondence with a complainer titled 'Criticism') Contemporary boards, with spine label, detaching at side - Book is Good.

Hardback. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. xii, 456pp. 61 uncoloured engravings. Part of the 'Library of Entertaining Knowledge'. Printed by Wiliam Clowes London. Original half-calf calf binding with marbled boards. Joints a trifle tender but sound. Morocco labesl to the spine with raised bands. An attractive copy in the original binding.

Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition. With illustrations. Edges speckled. Slight browning to endpapers. Occasional spot of foxing internally. Rebound in a late 19th or early 20th century half calf binding with marbled boards (slight spot of damage to front cover of boards). A few light spots of soilnig to spine & corners. ; The Library of Entertaining Knowledge was a series of educational books published in the nineteenth century by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. It was created to make learning more accessible and engaging for a wide readership, particularly the growing literate middle and working classes. The books were written in a clear and lively style, designed to entertain as well as inform, in contrast to the more formal academic works of the time. Covering a wide range of subjects including natural history, geography, archaeology, technology, and biography, the series provided richly illustrated volumes that brought topics to life. Titles explored areas such as the architecture of ancient Egypt, the habits of insects, the history of British India, and the wonders of the natural world. Many of the books contained finely detailed engravings, adding to their appeal. This series was part of a broader movement in nineteenth-century Britain that aimed to expand access to knowledge, reflecting the periodâs emphasis on education, self-improvement, and curiosity about the world. Although the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge dissolved in the 1840s, the books in this collection remained influential and helped shape later educational publishing. One of the notable volumes in the series was The Faculties of Birds, which explored avian intelligence, instincts, and behaviour. It examined how birds navigate, solve problems, communicate, and interact socially. The book discussed their adaptability to different environments, with chapters on migration, nest-building, courtship displays, and vocal mimicry. It provided insights into species such as swallows, which instinctively find their way across continents, bowerbirds, which construct elaborate structures to attract mates, and parrots, known for their ability to imitate human speech. Richly illustrated with detailed engravings, The Faculties of Birds combined scientific observation with engaging storytelling, making it accessible to those with an interest in the natural world. By presenting birds as capable of learning and adaptation rather than as creatures driven solely by instinct, the book contributed to the Victorian-era fascination with animal intelligence. As part of the Library of Entertaining Knowledge, it reflected the series' aim to make science and nature more approachable and enjoyable for a broad audience. ; Octavo; xvi, 338 pages 20th century half calf with marbled boards.

1st edition. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked, blind-bordered, sand-grain cloth. Slight suggestion only of dust-dulling and rubbing to the spine bands and panel edges. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Provenance: Bookplate of Henry Sewell Stokes to front pastedown. Physical description: 8 advertisement pages, 288 pages, 32 advertisement pages; illustrations; 18 cm. Subjects: Almanacs, English; Yearbooks Great Britain; Almanacs and calendars British Isles 19th century, 20th century; Victorian Period, Almanacs. 1 Kg.

Leather Binding. Condition: Good. No Jacket. First Edition. Complete run for the year 1835, including monthly supplements. Bound in 3/4 brown calf over matching marbled boards, plain endpapers, edges flecked red-brown. Spine perished; covers detached; wear to extremities (chiefly corners); some internal browning and/or foxing (chiefly to preliminaries). Sold 'as is'. [2], 508 pages. Numerous Engraved Illustrations.

First Edition. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Professionally re-cased with a new, matching spine; very impressively finished. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description; 96, 262 p. : ill., fold. map ; 19 cm. Contents; Also contains The companion to the Almanac: or, Year-book of general information for 1835. Subject; Almanacs. 3 Kg.

First Edition. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Professionally re-cased with a new, matching spine; very impressively finished. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description; 96, 262 p. : ill., fold. map ; 19 cm. Contents; Also contains The companion to the Almanac: or, Year-book of general information for 1835. Subject; Almanacs. 1 Kg.

First Edition. Good copy only in gilt-blocked half leather over marble boards. Spine bands and panel edges rubbed and dulled as with age. Front board starting. Minor worming to prelims only. Back free-endpaper missing. Text remains in fine condition. Provenance: Bookplate from Ex Libris Oliver Collection. Physical description: 1 volume, various paging, illustrations. Subjects: Children's literature Periodicals. Civilization; Periodicals. Intellectual life; Periodicals. World history; Periodicals. 3 Kg.

Cloth. Condition: Very Good. Not Stated (illustrator). First edition. A first edition early 19th century work on ornamental planting. The first edition. Rebound in full cloth. With vignette diagrams throughout. A very interesting early nineteenth-century work on ornamental planting gardening, with chapters on judicious planting, the structure and growth of trees, approved methods for preparing soil, and more. Published under the superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, a London-based society formed in the early nineteenth century whose intention was to publish educational treatises on a wide range of topics so that individuals who could not obtain formal education could educate themselves. With a bookplate for one, 'H. J. Tolcher', to the front paste-down. In full cloth. Externally, smart with shelf wear to the edges. Marks to the boards. Hinges starting but firm. Spotting to the paste-downs and free endpapers. Bookplate to the front paste-down. Offsetting to the rear paste-down and free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages age-toned but generally bright and clean. Light spotting towards the front of the volume. Crease to the centre of the title page. The odd handling mark throughout. Very Good. book.

First Edition. Very good copy in modern half leather over leather-grain beige cloth boards, now slightly dust-dulled. Spine with gilt-blocked title, raised bands, and now somewhat sun-toned along with top margin front board. Text block tight and strong with a clean impression, showing isolated foxing only. A well-preserved example overall. Physical description; [4], 507, [1] pages : illustrations ; 29 cm. Notes; Text in two columns. Includes index and list of illustrations. Subjects; Penny magazine. Periodicals. Great Britain. 19th century. Illustrated. 3 Kg.

First Edition. Good copy in contemporary half calf over marble boards, now dust-dulled and scuffed; rear surface and top edge show some abrasions. Spine and black leather label both gilt-tooled, with spine surface heavily rubbed. Corners, joints and endbands show some wear, the latter crumbling slightly at the head. Preliminary and final leaves foxed, with the interior remaining tight and clean. A well-preserved example overall. Physical description; [4], 508 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm. Notes; Text in two columns. Includes index and list of illustrations. Subjects; Penny magazine. Periodicals. Great Britain. 19th century. Illustrated. 3 Kg.

First Edition. Good copy only, in contemporary half brown calf over marbled boards, now somewhat scuffed and dust-dulled, with edges somewhat worn. Joints, endbands and corners rubbed. Spine leather worn and flaking, with minor loss. Front free endpaper torn at the gutter (without loss) and at the lower corner (with minor loss); rear free endpaper torn out. Preliminary and final leaves somewhat dust-dulled; interior remains notably tight and clean. A very serviceable copy. Provenance: Bookplate of M. J. Gardiner. Physical description; 508 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm. Notes; New series begins with this volume (10) and continues through vol. 14. Includes index. Subjects; Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain) Periodicals. English periodicals 19th century. Working class Education Great Britain History 19th century. Self-culture History 19th century. Popular education Great Britain History 19th century. Science Popular works 19th century Periodicals. Natural history Popular works 19th century Periodicals. World history Periodicals. Civilization Periodicals. Great Britain Civilization 19th century Periodicals. 3 Kg.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition. Hinges rubbed through at gussett, brown half calf with brown marbled boards. Peeling spine, contents very good, clean and tight. ; 11" x 7.5"; 512. pages.

First Edition. Good copy only in gilt-blocked half leather over marble boards. Spine bands and panel edges rubbed and dulled as with age. Front board starting. Minor worming to prelims only. Back free-endpaper missing. Text remains in fine condition. Provenance: Bookplate from Ex Libris Oliver Collection. Physical description: 1 volume, various paging, illustrations. Subjects: Children's literature Periodicals. Civilization; Periodicals. Intellectual life; Periodicals. World history; Periodicals. 1 Kg.

First Edition. Poor copy, wear and tear as with age. Boards detached. Text remains in fine condition. Physical description; 1 vol. : ill., ; 19 cm. Subject; Almanacs. 3 Kg.

First Edition. Fair to good copy bound in gilt-blocked, contemporary half-calf over marble boards. Some wear to spine. Panel edges somewhat dulled and rubbed. Corners sharp with an overall tight, bright and clean impression.; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 248 pages; Description: 248p. Illus. ; 28cm. Subjects: Society of the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge - Periodicals. English literature - 19th century - Periodicals. World history - Periodicals. Intellectual life - Periodicals. Natural history - Periodicals. Issues called supplements published monthly, in addition to weekly issues, and included in numbering sequence. 3 Kg.

First Edition. Poor binding copy. Some slight wear and tear as with age. Boards detached but present. Text remains well preserved overall; bright and clean. Provenance; from the library of New England Historic-Genealogical Society with its presentation bookplate. Physical description; 389 pages. Subjects; Penny Magazine. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. 1832 Magazine. 4 Kg.