26 volumes, 4to. Numerous photographic illustrations, drawings, and maps. Original pictorial wrappers (minor repairs and losses to spine ends, rubbing, some very light soiling); slipcases.

FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL 26 FORTNIGHTLY PARTS. Parts I-XXI with "To be completed in about 24 fortnightly parts" printed on the upper wrappers; parts XXII-XXVI with "To be concluded in twenty-six parts" on the upper wrappers. Part XXVI contains the final pages of Chapter XCVIII, the last chapter of the work, along with an errata, approximately 40pp. of appendices, an index, and graphs referred to in the previous parts.