21 leaves engraved throughout. 3 1/2 -point typeface equivalent. Full-page engraved portraits of Sir Robert Peel, Duke of Wellington, Lord Lyndhurst & Lord Stanley. Six leaves, April to June, missing. Engraved on verso only. Compares favourably with earlier Schloss almanacs. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 18 x 26 mm. Original green card with gilt borders and decoration on covers; spine undecorated. Spielmann, 50. Welsh, 1255. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide for this edition. One single copy is located by WorldCat for each of the 1847, the 1849 and the 1851 editions. Five copies are located for the 1852 edition. Although defective, this is is very scarce edition in amy state.
Given that the cloth is this period and colour, there is a possibility that it may have been treated with chemicals that include arsenic. Current findings suggest that the publication date range for volumes containing arsenic is 1830 to 1880 and that such books are bound in green cloth, green paper, or green leather. The chemical process used between 1830-90 for creating attractive emerald green pigment was not then known to be toxic - it was even used for selling chocolates from an arsenic chocolate box! But, if treated with respect, and if hands and touching surfaces are washed afterwards, there need not be personal exposure to any hazardous content. Most green book covers from this period do not contain arsenic (while books containing arsenic are green, not all green books contain arsenic). Colour and date alone are not conclusive as to poisonous elements. My personal precautionary suggestions include:
- Use nitrile gloves when handling.
- Do not eat, smoke, or touch your face until you have completed handling the album and thoroughly washed your hands.
- Keep the album away from children and pets.
- Treat all nineteenth century books, including those that may be arsenical, with due respect.