The covers are lightly shelf worn and there is an ownership signature on the title page, else clean, unmarked and solid. "[The Magazine of Art] origins can be traced back to May 1851, when the House of Cassell started publication of a journal devoted to The Great Exhibition of that year. It evolved, in 1852, into "The Illustrated Exhibitor and Magazine of Art", a weekly devoted to the arts, educational in purpose and offering "culture for the little cultured". It changed name in February 1853 to "The Illustrated Magazine of Art" but never achieved great popularity and ceased publication in 1854. The magazine was revived for a while during the 1862 International Exhibition but then lay dormant until 1878..... In 1888, a supplement was introduced called "Royal Academy Pictures", which, as its name suggests, contained reproductions of the chief works from the annual Royal Academy exhibitions in London. However, the Magazine of Art failed to make sufficient returns to justify its continued existence and publication ceased in 1904, though "Royal Academy Pictures" continued until 1916." (Wikipedia) Overseas customers please note the book is heavy and will attract additional postage.