Library Entertaining by Society Diffusion (24 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Good. 21pp extract, occasional light foxing, salvaged from a damaged issue of the North American Review, Volume XXX, No. 67, April, 1830. A scarce, contemporary review of the voluminous sets. Housed in protective mylar report cover.

PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days.

Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days.

Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days.

Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days.

Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days.

Brown Cloth. Condition: Very Good. pp. xii, 420, b/w woodcuts in-text throughout. Original brown cloth binding with worn title label to the spine, very good with a little general wear and a little rubbing to extremities. Contents clean and tight, signature in ink to the front pastedown, fore-edges marbled, no foxing. A very good tight copy.

Black hardback leather cover. Condition: Very Good. Reprint. VG : in very good condition without dust jacket. Aeg. Previous owners bookplate to front paste down. Browning to eps. 160mm x 110mm (6" x 4"). xii, 456pp. Numerous b/w engravings. Part of the 'Library of Entertaining Knowledge'.

Condition: Fair. Reprint. Ex-lib Allenheads Library. G : in Good condition. Library plate to fep. Rubbing to boards. 160mm x 110mm (6" x 4"). xii, 392pp. Numerous b/w engravings. Part of the 'Library of Entertaining Knowledge'. Brown half-calf cover on marbled boards.

Condition: New. KlappentextrnrnThis is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the origina.

Condition: New. KlappentextrnrnThis is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the origina.

Condition: New. KlappentextrnrnThis is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the origina.

Condition: New. KlappentextrnrnThis is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the origina.

Condition: New. KlappentextrnrnThis is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the origina.

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.

Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. No Jacket. 1832 and 1836 Charles Knight/Society for the diffusion of useful knowledge edition hardbacks, set of two volumes, The Library of Entertaining Knowledge; Vol I is an acceptable copy with worn and faded boards which are detached at the spine; Vol II is a good, aged but sound, copy with some spine end wear; no dj; UK dealer, immediate dispatch.

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 period's 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.

Softcover. Condition: Very Good. 2 volumes in 4 parts. Volume 1, Part 1 & 2; Volume 2, Part 1 & 2. The complete part in the larger series of The Library of Entertaining Knowledge, these numbered 39 (XX), 40 (XX), 43 (XXII), 44 (XXII) in that series. In the original printed wrappers, with the title-pages etc., bound-in at the end of part 2 in each volume. Ink name of previous owner to the front covers of 3, spines with light wear and chipping but with minimal loss, the bindings tight and square and the contents clean and bright. Illustrated with many woodcuts.

12mo. 6.5 x 4.25 inches. xii + 456 pp. Presentation binding in full calf with blind stamped borders enclosing gilt block of Edinburgh Institution on front board; spine in compartments with raised bands, decorated gilt with contrasting black morocco title label, gilt. Binder's label of Seton, Edinburgh. A little wear to extremities, including head and tail of spine and traces of scattered foxing: otherwise a very good copy. Premium label of 1846 presentation of the Edinburgh Institution for Languages, Mathematics, Etc. Illustrated by 61 engraved figures in text. A volume of economic botany and plant products produced in The Library of Entertaining Knowledge series (1829-38) of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge which existed 1826-46. It describes plant used for cloth making, cordage, paper, tanning, oils, dyes and gums, etc. Companion volumes covered timber, fruit and food plants. Authorship has been variously ascribed to Charles Knight, the publisher and to Mrs Sarah Porter (Library Hub). In a fine presentation binding of the Edinburgh Institution. INDUSTRY / INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES BOTANY INDUSTRY BOTANY 20TH CENTURY ILLUSTRATED FINE BINDING PRESENTATION INDUSTRY / INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.