THE LADY OF THE LAKE
London: A.W. Bennett, 1863. Hardcover. First published in 1810, this poem was tremendously influential in the 19th century, and inspired the Highland Revival. Printed by Richard Barrett, London, and bound by Westleys & Co., London, with their ticket to the rear pastedown. Octavo: [viii], 215, [1, blank] pp. with the title page plate and 13 full-page plates, all mounted albumen photographs with tissue guards, by T. Ogle and G.W. Wilson, as well as decorated chapter heads, all wood engravings. The title page is printed in red and black. In the publisher's mauve honeycomb-grain cloth binding, designed by John Leighton, with beveled boards; gilt-stamped ruled and scalloped ornamental borders, ruled frame, diaper branch work, ivy, water lily, and grapevine decorations, vignettes of swans, stumbling horse, and leaping stag, shield and arrows device with pendant cross, ornamental bands with black letter titling, and onlay with gilt-overstamped vignette of robed figure with boat, oar, and standard on the front and rear panels; and gilt-stamped ruled borders, sword device with draped banner, arched ivy and floral ornamental spandrels, black letter titling, and ruled tail panel with black lettering titling on the spine. All edges gilt, with buff endpapers. Faint stain to the bottom edge of the final leaf. Just a hint of foxing to the plates and the endpapers, with a small period bookplate to the front pastedown. Light wear to the corners and tips; otherwise very good. Housed in a custom cloth slipcase. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Very good. Item #79207
Price: $650.00