The Temple Nature Readers Book I Illustrated School Reader, Dent c.1900
 
The Temple Nature Readers — Book I
 
Edited by M. T. Yates
Part of “Dent’s School Series”
J. M. Dent & Co., London (29 & 30 Bedford Street)
Undated (likely circa 1898–1909)
 
Bibliographic Details
 
Title: The Temple Nature Readers, Book I
Editor: M. T. Yates
Series: Dent’s School Series
Publisher: J. M. Dent & Co., London
Date / Range: undated – likely between circa 1898 (after Dent moved offices) and 1909 (before “Dent & Sons” usage)
Illustrations: Numerous black and white and full-page colour plates. Full page colour illustrations facing pages 19, 29, 32, 42, 51, 54, 63, 73, 76, 86, 95, 98, 107, 117, 120, plus frontispiece. All present.
Pagination: 128 pages total
Dimensions: approx. 18.1 × 12.5 × 1.4 cm
Weight: approx. 211 grams.
 
Binding & Exterior Condition
 
Bound in green cloth over boards and spine, with decorative motifs and lettering on the front board, and lettering on the spine.
The cloth is intact and structurally sound.
Cosmetic wear: general surface marks, rubbing at edges and corners, some creasing of the rear board, soft bumping to corners, and light general wear consistent with age.
The boards still present nicely; the decorative detail remains visible.
 
Interior Condition
 
On the front pastedown, a neat pencil inscription: “Emma Dunford.”
The pages show light even tanning, occasional light marks, but generally clean and uncreased.
There is a small bit of paint on the edges of pages 6, 36, and 72, which does not intrude into text or images.
Light foxing / tanning on the endpapers and pastedowns.
No rips in the text pages.
A very light gutter crack between pages 84 and 85.
On the inner margin of page 109 is a thin strip of white tape (may be original binding reinforcement).
All 128 pages are present and firmly held.
 
Content & Illustrative Features
 
The volume is a nature / elementary science reader, designed for school use, introducing children to natural history observations with a mix of descriptive lessons and illustrative support.
The colour full page illustrations (frontispiece + those facing the pages listed) are likely lithographic or chromolithographic prints, valuable in educational volumes of that era.
Black-and-white illustrations throughout provide additional visual support to the text.
The combination of full-colour illustrations in a small school reader makes this edition more attractive to collectors than plain text editions.