Description
1883 edition. Hardcover has significant wear, scuffs, small marks, stains and small tears. No dust jacket. Spine has significant reading creases and wear, small tears on top and bottom. Pages have some marks and small tears on some pages but largely are clean and the binding is slightly loose.
This well-worn copy of “The Circle of Useful Knowledge” is a fascinating artifact from the late 19th century’s quest for accessible education. Published in 1883, this encyclopedic volume was likely a prized possession for families seeking to expand their knowledge beyond formal schooling. Despite its age and heavy use, the book’s intact binding and largely clean pages attest to its durability and the care with which it was handled by generations of curious readers. While the anonymous author’s identity is lost to time, their work stands as a testament to the era’s drive for self-improvement through the democratization of information. Collectors of vintage reference works and those interested in the history of popular education will appreciate this volume’s unique glimpse into the intellectual pursuits of the Victorian era.
