Untitled historic item (003790)

Two titles bound in one volume. The Traveller (1851): iv, 14pp, plus frontispiece and 30 further illustrations expressly designed for the Art-Union of London. L'Allegro (1848): iv, 16pp, plus frontispiece and 30 further illustrations expressly designed for the Art-Union of London. Half-bound in brown, Morocco leather over textured cloth (silk moire?), with gilt lettering and decorate and leather title label on front panel. All edges gilt. (Boards rubbed at edges, especially corners and spine ends, where leather is worn, a few mild marks). Marbled endpapers. Some mild, scattered foxing, largely not affecting plates. Previous owner's blind embossed stamp. Imposing, handsome volume, likely created to co-incidence with the Art Union's contribution to the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. .