Life of man symbolised by the months of the year in a series of illustrations by John Leighton, F.S.A. and portrayed in the seasons and phases, with passages selected from ancient and modern authors

London: Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer, 1866.

Quarto (11 x 9 ins); pp xii, [4], 240. Embellished with an illuminated title, decorative borders, capitals, head and tail pieces and illustrations throughout. With a contents and list of the larger illustrations in twelve parts to front and an index of authors to rear. With a dedicatory preface to Lord Houghton to front. Publisher's ornately decorated binding of green cloth with bevelled edges, gilt and red ornaments sets around Adam and Eve with the serpent and apple sitting either side of a shield lettered "The Life of Man As The One Of Us To Know Good & Evil". Bound by Edmonds & Remnants with label laid down to rear pastedown. Spine ends and tips of corners rubbed. Original red endpapers. Scattered spotting throughout especially to verso of the plates. Page edges gilt, with fore-edge alternately gilt and red. A very attractive item.