1890 Scarce Edition - The Poetical Works of Edgar Allan Poe Illustrated

Author: Edgar Allan Poe. Illustrated by John Tenniel, Birket Foster, and others.
Title: The Poetical Works of Edgar Allan Poe. Together with his Essays on the Poetic Principle and the Philosophy of Composition, and a Critical Memoir.
Publisher: London, Ward, Lock & Bowden, Limited, no date [circa 1890s].
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7" x 5".
Pages: cxi-254 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original publisher's half faux-alligator leather-imitation over olive green decorative cloth boards, richly gilt-decorated spine and front board (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Upper edge gilt.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown, some light toning to the front endpaper with an early 1901 ownership inscription and marginal toning to the title page - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with numerous in-text engravings and plates after John Tenniel, Birket Foster, and other artists, enhancing key poems including The Raven, Annabel Lee, and Ulalume.

Estimate: (USD 300 - USD 400)

The book: A beautifully illustrated Victorian uncommon edition of Poe’s collected poems, handsomely bound in a distinctive faux-alligator and gilt-stamped cloth binding. This edition presents Poe’s most famous poems alongside his critical writings on poetic theory, including The Philosophy of Composition, offering both literary value and decorative appeal. A fine example of late 19th-century gift-book publishing, ideal for collectors of Poe or illustrated verse.

The author: Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) remains one of the most iconic American writers of the 19th century. Known for his mastery of the macabre, psychological horror, and Gothic atmospheres, Poe’s poetry, particularly The Raven, helped shape American Romanticism and deeply influenced both popular and literary culture. His essays on poetic structure and composition provide early theoretical insights into the art of poetry.

The illustrators: Sir John Tenniel (of Alice in Wonderland fame) and Myles Birket Foster were among the most respected illustrators of the Victorian era. Their work in this edition adds artistic resonance to Poe’s themes of melancholy, beauty, and mystery. Their detailed engravings complement the poetic tone and contribute significantly to the book's collectible character.