I recently was given some old books which included "Burkes General Armory".
The book was printed in 1884.
I'm wondering if this is considered a reliable book or just a novelty from that time.
The cover is very fragile so I have been afraid to read it. I'm hoping someone knows whether it would be worth it to have it professionally restored or do I just enjoy it and not worry about any further damage to it .

as a side note: inside is a library plaque (I think that is what it is called) that says "John William Morkill ".