Horizon History Book Series (The Horizon Book of Ancient Rome, Great Cathedrals, and The Middle Ages)

A group of three hardcover historical reference books from the Horizon series, typically published by American Heritage Publishing Co. during the 1960s. These large-format volumes are bound in textured cloth—likely buckram—in muted earth tones ranging from light oatmeal to dark taupe. The spines feature elegant gold-gilt embossed lettering for titles such as 'Ancient Rome', 'Great Cathedrals', and 'Middle Ages'. Two of the volumes are seen housed within a protective black slipcase, a common feature for deluxe or collector's editions of this era. The books exhibit signs of age-appropriate wear, including shelf rubbing at the edges, minor fading to the cloth on the spines, and some dust accumulation. One volume, 'Ancient Rome', shows a slight lean and wear to the head and foot of the spine. The overall craftsmanship is indicative of mid-century high-quality commercial publishing, designed for both aesthetic appeal on a bookshelf and durable educational use. These books are noted for their high-quality paper and extensive use of illustrations and photography inside.