The Harvard Classics (Dr. Eliot's Five-Foot Shelf of Books)

This is a partial set of 'The Harvard Classics,' also known as 'Dr. Eliot's Five-Foot Shelf of Books.' These volumes are cloth-bound in a distinctive crimson or maroon fabric, consistent with the standard P.F. Collier & Son editions published throughout the early 20th century (circa 1910s-1930s). The front surfaces of several volumes feature the iconic Harvard shield embossed in gold gilt. The spines are decorated with horizontal gold gilt bands and contain the title, volume numbers, and contents in serif typography. These are standard octavo-sized hardcover books. The condition of this group is categorized as fair to good for its age. Significant sun-fading (fading of the red pigment to a brownish hue) is visible on several spines, which is typical for these editions. There is noticeable shelf wear, specifically softening and fraying (bumping) at the head and foot of the spines and along the corner tips. Some visible dust accumulation and minor staining on the cloth suggest long-term storage in a non-climate-controlled environment. There appears to be a lack of a complete 51-volume set in this container, which impacts its value as a collected series. Despite the cosmetic wear, the bindings appear intact, and the gold lettering on the spines remains largely legible, indicating a mid-tier production quality intended for widespread home libraries.