A painstaking copy of the three-volume first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, originally published in Edinburgh in 1771. It really is something special: a fascinating record of the extent of knowledge, both true and mistaken, of the time, with many contemporary illustrations. (The first volume has a large and absorbing section on Anatomy, a specialisation of academic Edinburgh - think Burke and Hare - which is why it only gets as far as the letter B!) This item will appeal to anyone with an interest in the period, to book collectors or even to libraries needing to complete their catalogues.
The quality of reproduction is astonishing: the paper looks and feels just right, the slightly uneven letterpress of the time is well copied and very persuasive signs of ageing (“light foxing”) have been incorporated. There is absolutely nothing to indicate that this isn’t an eighteenth century original.
In contrast, it must be acknowledged that the bindings, although also in the period style, are not real leather and do not seem as convincing as the contents. However, the work itself is of such quality that could be worthwhile to follow the practice of the time (books were then usually sold unbound) and arrange for your own binding, although I imagine this would be quite costly.