Johnson, Helen Kendrick [editor]. Nutshell Series. Putnams, G.P. Sons. New York. 1885.

Johnson, Helen Kendrick [editor]. Nutshell Series. Putnams, G.P. Sons. New York. 1884-5. Six miniature books presented in one giant walnut shell-shaped 'bookcase', that was almost certainly a specially commissioned retail display unit, since the books were sold individually or in sets (but not with an oversize carved walnut shell' bookcase'). The compartment in the nut case may have been sympathetically refurbished. Each volume has an index. "These little books contain only prose, and make no selections from the Bible, or from Shakspere [sic]...but rather a gathering of the best thoughts of the writers from whom selections have been made"-P.iii ([v.4] Philosophy). 1/Wit and Humor. 2/Wisdom. 3/Epigram and Epitaph. 4/Philosophy. 5/Proverbs. In original Walnut shaped, painted wooden case on stand. WorldCat locates only two copies and these do not have the carved walnut shell 'bookcase' (Yale and Indiana University Libraries)." 10 x 6cm. Original black leather, gilt titling on spines; gilt titling and nutshells on front covers. Spines refurbished sympathetically. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 82498067. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide but in boxes (not nutshell-like bookcases).  18 firsts2024