The Penny Cyclopædia of The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.. This item is unavailable.The Penny Cyclopædia of The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.

FIRST EDITION. 27 vols. Folio. Illus. 27 vols in 14 bound in orig. green moiré cloth by Westley & Co., Cheltenham; spines unevenly darkened, sl. rubbed. A good-plus set. Originally published in parts. A further three supplementary volumes were published between 1843 and 1858. 'The plan of The Penny Cyclopædia, as it is specially intended as a book of reference, is not to attempt to form systems of knowledge, but to give pretty full, under each separate head, as much information as can be conveyed within reasonable limits. But whilst it endeavours to present in detail the explanation of those terms of Art and Science, the right understanding of which is independent of any system, it also attempts to give such general vies of all great branches of knowledge, as may help to the formation of just ideas on their extent and relative importance, and to point out the best sources of complete information.'.