The fact that they have dust jackets makes me think they aren't from 1853. Did they have dust jackets back then? I got a copy of David Copperfield sitting next to me from 1919 and it looks as old as hell...although the paper is smoothly cut. I got some modern books with the ragged edge cut like yours. Don't think you can use that as a gauge for age. It is weird there isn't a more recent date on them though.
Found this:
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/...ogical%20order
The 1911 edition is leather bound. But there's one from 1853 too....sounds like yours....I really don't know. It just looks to be in such good condition for the age.
What's on the other side of that first page. Sometimes the date is hidden quite well.
Nelson Doubleday's publishing company didn't begin until 1897 so we can rule out it being from 1853 which is before Doubleday was even born.
I'm thinking 1960 at the oldest.
Re: Real life mystery
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