The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

1890: spotting to plate and plate mount and occasional lighter spotting to text.
1891: tear to preliminary advertisement leaf, title slightly soiled, spotting to plate mount, abrasion to front wrapper.
1892: mount slightly spotted, adhesion mark to inner corner of front wrapper.
1893: mount and tissue guard spotted, front wrapper with adhesion mark along inner margin and slight wear to one corner.
1894: some spotting and dust soiling particularly affecting pp. 368-69, cut marks to photographic plate which is lacking tissue guard, a few corners creased, wrappers rather soiled and a little worn at corners.
1895: light browning to margins.
1896: plate mount and tissue guard very spotted, wrappers a little rubbed and creased at lower corners.
1897: lacks the plate.
1898: front wrapper a little worn at bottom margin, lacks back wrapper.
1899: creasing to lower corners of title and early leaves, wrappers a little soiled and rubbed, one corner of front wrapper worn.

Both front and back wrappers are printed within a rectangular rule. In some volumes the inner side of the rule is concealed by the adjacent free endpaper of the morocco binding. Condition of the wrappers is variable but good for the majority of copies.

The condition of lots sold can vary widely due to factors such as age, previous damage, restoration, repair, and wear and tear. The nature of the lots sold means that they will rarely be in perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.