Used Book Appraisal

The Lost Love by Oliphant

The item is a bound book, exhibiting an aged appearance consistent with a late 19th or early 20th-century publication. Its spine, the only visible part, is a deep teal or dark green color, likely made of cloth, possibly buckram or fine-grain cloth, given its texture. The binding shows a distinct ribbed pattern horizontally, possibly indicating raised bands for structural support and aesthetic appeal. The title "THE LOST LOVE" is prominently displayed in gold lettering on the upper-middle section of the spine, set within a clear, unadorned rectangular panel. Below the title, the author's surname, "OLIPHANT," is also in gold lettering, slightly smaller and within the same clean panel. Both the title and author text appear crisp despite the age of the book. Above and below this central panel, the spine is extensively decorated with intricate gold tooling. This tooling features an organic, perhaps floral or vine-like, pattern that covers much of the surface. The gold leaf or pigment used for the tooling and lettering shows signs of wear, particularly on the raised portions of the design and along the edges, revealing some of the underlying dark green material. This wear suggests frequent handling and age, contributing to a visible patina rather than significant damage. There are no obvious tears, major scuffs, or repairs discernible from the image, indicating it is in relatively good preserved condition for its age. The craftsmanship suggests a commercially produced book of decent quality, typical of novels or literary works from its estimated period.