Pretty sweet, This is a B.F.B. of mega proportions. (Big Freaking
Book). Tome, is actually the word that comes to mind, at 12 x 9 x 6
inches, this cool “old school Google” is truly impressive, over 2800
pages (& over 17 pounds) of information and each page still tightly bound to all the others after
nearly 100 years. It also has a pull out
folded sheet titled “How to use the Funk and Wagnalls New Standard
Dictionary”. The first piece of advice on that sheet is " Locate it so it can be used. This large dictionary is heavy..." I'd say that's good advice. 
On page 46 is an illustration page titled “Aereonautics”, with drawings of 12 air dirigibles, one of which is actually part dirigible gas bag and part gasoline powered biplane.
On page 2675 is a black and white photographic plate of “The ships of the United States Navy” all have masts for hoisting auxiliary sails, with the exception, it appears, of the submarine.
On page 2726 is a
color plate fronted with a sheet of parchment, titled “Radial sections
of typical wood” that really looks like the real thing, the Birds eye
Maple is quite fascinating. I have leafed through it amazed. I noticed only one or two pages with any tearing (nothing significant), and the binding and overall condition of the meat of this behemoth seems excellent for such a piece.
The cover appears leather, with a
sweet embossed eagle motif. It has plastic wrapped over it, for a
reason, which I ignorantly ignored thinking I might get a better picture
of said embossed eagle. However in the process of trying I discovered
the entire cover on the end of the book is disconnected from the front
and back boards, so I wrapped the plastic back on. The ends of the
covers near the pages are ragged, but the boards are stiff. This old book is just cool, ready to become a statement piece for that décor job, a sweet addition to a collection, a step stool, or a heck of a DIY “book safe”!
This item sold on 2 / 28/13
