The Masterpieces of German Art: Being a Biographical History of Art in Germany and the Netherlands from the Earliest Period to the Present Time

This is a handsome set of "THE MASTERPIECES OF GERMAN ART - Being a Biographical History of Art in Germany and the Netherlands from the Earliest Period to the Present Time" - edited by J. Eugene Reed. Circa 1880's (there is no date of publication stated); Gebbie & Co.; Philadelphia. Complete set in two volumes. The volumes are bound in full leather with 5 raised bands on the spine, marbled end papers, a decorative gilt border along the edges of the covers, and gilt page edges on all sides. Profusely illustrated with hundreds of wonderful engravings, each of which is preceded by a historical sketch of the illustration and tissue paper. Each volume contains a List of Photogravures, List of Wood Engravings, and Index of Painters at the front. Hefty, over-sized set - each volume measures 16 5/8" tall x 12" wide x 2" thick. Volume I contains 50 photogravures and 98 wood engravings. Volume II contains 50 photogravures and 92 wood engravings.

Condition:
Some scratches to the leather covers; worn corners (the bottom-left corner of the vol 2 back cover has peeled); edge wear along the perimeters of the boards; wear to the top and bottom edges of the spines. The labels on the spines are missing pieces. There is a 1" tear at the right edge of the vol I spine near the volume number label. There is a 1/2" tear at the bottom-right corner of the vol II spine. Both volumes are tight bound with no loose pages. The insides of both volumes are in excellent condition - mostly clean with only an occasional smudge and small foxing spot found; the front end paper of volume II has a small 1" tear at the outer edge. Bright gilt on all sides of the text block.