The Inter Ocean Curiosity (6 Volumes, 1883-1890)

This is a collection of six volumes of "THE INTER OCEAN CURIOSITY SHOP" ("Being a Series of Questions and Answers on Practical Matters for the Information of Everybody") for the years 1883, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1891. Published by the Inter Ocean Publishing Company in Chicago. Each volume has an Index at the back. "The Inter Ocean Curiosity Shop" was an annual compilation of facts and information, providing a brief write-up on a wide variety of topics...for example, "History of Chicago," "Aaron Burr," "The Barber's Pole," "John Brown," "Kickapoo Indians - Squaw Men," "Weight of the Earth," "The Sphinx - Xerxes," "Perpetual Motion," "Execution by Electricity," "The Monroe Doctrine," "Cleopatra," "The Eiffel Tower" etc., etc. Each volume is loaded with interesting content.

Condition:
The lot is in overall Very Good condition. The front end papers and pastedowns have a previous owner's name stamped in ink and/or handwritten, and some have a year handwritten in pencil. The pages are by and large clean and appear unread. Here are notable issues found: 1890 has some numbers (presumably page numbers) written in pencil along the bottom edge of the front end papers. The 1887 spine has a small nick/scuff at the left edge. The upper-outer corner of the 1883 rear end paper has torn away. The front cover of 1889 has some tiny, white specks; cloth tears at the top and bottom edges of the spine; small cloth tears at the outer edge of the back cover. The front cover of 1891 has some tiny, white specks at the right edge. The gilt has faded on 3 of the spines.