{"product_id":"columbia-viking-desk-encyclopedia-1953-complete-set","title":"Columbia Viking Desk Encyclopedia 1953 — Complete Two Volume Set A-K L-Z","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Columbia-Viking Desk Encyclopedia is a comprehensive two-volume reference set from 1953, designed as a compact desk reference that was standard in home libraries of the 1950s. This complete A-K and L-Z set includes maps, illustrations, and articles on history, science, geography, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA solid choice for the vintage book collector, decorator, or anyone building a curated home library with authentic mid-century reference materials. These hardcover volumes have age and character, with all the patina you'd expect from classic reference books that were actually used and consulted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reference encyclopedia, two-volume set\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Columbia-Viking Desk Encyclopedia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEditor-in-Chief:\u003c\/strong\u003e William Bridgewater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Viking Press, New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCopyright\/Published:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 1953\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardcover, no dust jackets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolumes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Volume I (A-K) and Volume II (L-Z)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,398 pages combined\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\" H × 6\" W × 2\" D (both volumes together)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes i\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/collections\/vintage-how-to-book-collection\" title=\"how to books\"\u003ellustrated maps (Atlantic World map visible), black and white illustrations throughout, subject index\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition Grade: Good\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete two-volume set, both volumes intact and binding solid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePages are readable throughout with clear text and illustrations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaps and interior illustrations are crisp and well-preserved\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA functional reference set that shows honest use from the 1950s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues \/ Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePencil marks on some pages, consistent with reference book use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAge-related yellowing and some page staining throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWear visible on spine edges from handling and shelf time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo dust jackets (as commonly found with this edition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee all photos for detail — sold as pictured.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Grade Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear Fine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery Good:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFair:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished during the post-war boom when encyclopedias were the gateway to knowledge in most American homes, the Columbia-Viking Desk Edition was designed for busy people who needed quick answers without committing to a massive encyclopedia set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set speaks to anyone building a mid-century home library, lovers of vintage research materials, collectors of classic reference books, or readers who appreciate the tactile weight of actual books on a shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pencil marks and stains you'll see are not flaws in this context — they are evidence that this encyclopedia was actually used, consulted, and trusted for information before the internet arrived.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA piece of how we used to learn, preserved intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e∙Photo-verified condition (\u003ca title=\"shipping policy\" href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/shipping-policy\"\u003eno surprises\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e∙Packed with our protective packaging standard\u003cbr\u003e∙Ships in 1 business day\u003cbr\u003e∙Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisclaimer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"about reading vintage\" href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/about-reading-vintage\"\u003eWhile I do my best\u003c\/a\u003e to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Orders $35+ Ship Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48687711650047,"sku":"C4 – T 12–2897","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2503\/7976\/files\/Columbia_Viking_Desk_Encyclopedia_1953_Complete.jpg?v=1781543105","url":"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/products\/columbia-viking-desk-encyclopedia-1953-complete-set","provider":"Reading Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}