1869 Rare Vellum Books - Maud and Other Poems; Enoch Arden by Tennyson
An elegant matching two-volume set of Tennyson’s poetry, comprising Maud and Other Poems and Enoch Arden, Etc., both published by Strahan in 1869 and beautifully preserved in refined full vellum bindings with morocco spine labels and marbled endpapers.
Author: TENNYSON, Alfred, D.C.L., Poet Laureate.
Title: Maud and Other Poems; Enoch Arden, Etc. Two volumes.
Publisher: London, Strahan and Co., Publishers, 56 Ludgate Hill, 1869.
Edition: Matching 1869 editions.
Language: Text in English.
Pages: Maud and Other Poems: 170 pages. Enoch Arden, Etc.: 178 pages.
Size: 6.5" x 4".
Binding: Very good to near fine matching full vellum bindings, simply and elegantly ruled in gilt, with dark morocco spine labels lettered and ruled in gilt. Minor natural toning and occasional small marks to the vellum, as shown. All edges tinted red. Attractive multicoloured marbled endpapers. Protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content, clean, tight and well preserved overall. Scattered foxing throughout, somewhat more apparent in Enoch Arden, as shown. A former owner’s bookplate is present on the front pastedown of both volumes.
Estimate: USD 200–250.
The books:
A particularly attractive matching pair of Alfred Tennyson’s celebrated mid-Victorian poetry collections. Maud and Other Poems contains Tennyson’s dramatic monodrama Maud, one of his most psychologically intense works, together with a selection of shorter poems. Enoch Arden, Etc. is headed by the famous narrative poem Enoch Arden, the tragic story of a sailor who returns after years believed dead only to discover that his wife has remarried, and chooses to conceal his return rather than disturb her happiness.
Published together in 1869 by Strahan and Co., these volumes are especially appealing in their remarkably handsome uniform full vellum bindings. The dark morocco labels, restrained gilt ruling, red-tinted edges and richly marbled endpapers give the set the appearance of a finely bound private or presentation library copy. A charming and highly decorative pair for the collector of Victorian poetry or fine bindings.
The author:
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (1809–1892), was one of the defining poets of the Victorian age and served as Poet Laureate from 1850 until his death. His verse combined extraordinary musicality with themes of love, loss, faith, doubt and the moral uncertainties of nineteenth-century life.
Among his most enduring works are In Memoriam A.H.H., The Charge of the Light Brigade, Idylls of the King, Maud and Enoch Arden. Immensely popular during his lifetime, Tennyson remains one of the most widely read and influential English poets of the nineteenth century.