Tilt's Miniature Almanack. Various publishers. London. [1848-1870] >>RUN OF SCARCE COLLECTABLE ALMANACS<<

A substantial collection of 17 complete almanacs by various publishers, all in the same format and the same series. Editions for the years 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857,1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1864, 1865, and 1871. Of these 17 items, 10 are not listed in WorldCat, and of the 7 editions that have been listed, there are only 9 copies known. 13 of these almanacs are not listed in Doris Welsh's standard Bibliography of Miniature Books. Bondy says "Many collectors also value highly another series issued under the title Tilt's Miniature Almanac or Tilt's Useful Almanac by one or the other of the following publishers: Tilt, Tilt and Bogue, D.Bogue, late Tilt and Bogue, W.Kent, Piper and Carter, and Kent & Co. over a period ranging from 1836 to at least 1886". Some endpapers and pages with contemporary inscriptions. Some leaves loose due to the simple glue binding techniques. 37 x 61 mm. Original green flexible buckram covers with gilt titling. Overall in very good condition. Together with an antique Tunbridgeware box with a hinged decorative lid and original knob. Bondy, 44. Welsh, 6733 (1850 edition), 6734 (1851 edition), 6735 (1855 edition), 6736 (1856 edition), 6738 (1871 edition). OCLC,  299608210 (1849 edition, WorldCat locates one copy worldwide - Virginia). 763202461 (1850 edition, one copy - Indiana). 244110592 (1851 edition, one copy - Grolier Club). 2441072297 (1855 edition, three copies - Grolier, Virginia and Strong Rochester). 1043419777 (1858 edition, one copy - Oxford Uni.). 62114132 (1861 edition, one copy - Williams College, Williamstown). 1117775086 (1864 edition, one copy - Washington Uni. St. Louis).  

Given that the cloth is this period and colour, there is a possibility that it may have been treated with chemicals that include arsenic.  Current findings suggest that the publication date range for volumes containing arsenic is 1830 to 1880 and that such books are bound in green cloth, green paper, or green leather.  The chemical process used between 1830-90 for creating attractive emerald green pigment was not then known to be toxic - it was even used for selling chocolates from an arsenic chocolate box! But, if treated with respect, and if hands and touching surfaces are washed afterwards, there need not be personal exposure to any hazardous content. Most green book covers from this period do not contain arsenic (while books containing arsenic are green, not all green books contain arsenic). Colour and date alone are not conclusive as to poisonous elements. My personal precautionary suggestions include: 

• Use nitrile gloves when handling.
• Do not eat, smoke, or touch your face until you have completed handling the album and thoroughly washed your hands.
• Keep the album away from children and pets.
• Treat all nineteenth century books, including those that may be arsenical, with due respect.