First edition of this collection of the works of various 19th poets, including James Beattie, Mary Tighe, Erasmus Darwin, Hannah More, Leigh Hunt, Wordsworth, Sotheby, James Hogg, Walter Scott, Gerald Massey, Elizabeth Barrett Browning etc. Illustrated with 100 engravings drawn by eminent artists of the time (including Birket Foster, Sir John Tenniel, T Dalziel, Millias, etc) and engraved by the Brothers Dalziel. Includes one of Ford Madox Brown's rare illustrations for Byron's Prisoner of Chillon [Goldman - Victorian Illustrated Books 1850-1870, p. 82]. In blue cloth binding over bevelled boards, richly decorated with gold leaf, design by John Sliegh, whose initials appear as part of the design at the base of spine. All edges gilt. xvi, 400pp. 8vo. An important volume in this history of English book illustration [See Gleeson White, English Illustration, --105-107.] (Boards worn, rubbed at edges, a little frayed at spine tips, still attractive volume). Previous owner's bookplate on front paste down, gift inscription dated 1866 on front free endpaper, with small bookseller's ticket indicating the volume was once retailed by Napper and Wright Stationers and Booksellers on New Street, Birmingham. Small ticket on rear paste down indicating the volume was bound by leading binders, Edmonds & Remnants, London. Pencil note on title page. Some spotting around gutters but otherwise neat, clean, bright and tight internally.
Various; Brothers Dalziel
john sliegh, english illustrations, gleeson white, poetry, Beautiful Books, remnant and edmonds, edmonds and remnant, thomas remnant, jacob edmonds,
