Published by Cassell & Co, London, 1891-1894. Half leather binding with black cloth boards. Four raised bands to spine. Gilt lettering on red leather patch to compartment two. Gilt decoration to other compartments. Aem. 9.25ins x 6.75ins, marbled endpapers,. Each of the eight volumes comprises [iv], 380pp plus 6 plates. Of the 48 plates, there are 16 maps (13 double page and 3 folding), 24 black and white plates and 8 colour plates (5 folding, 2 double page ,1 single page). Contents are arranged alphabetically in a two column format. Volume one has loss to base of page 321/2 - text not affected. There is light foxing to the half title of vol one and to the final page of vol two. The red leather patch on vols 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 is slightly lighter than that of 1/2. Overall a VG set containing a summary of the knowledge of the late Victorian period. Nb heavy set, expensive to post overseas.