Poems
London: Edward Moxon, 1857. First illustrated edition with medallion frontispiece. The so-called “Moxon Tennyson” which features over 50 woodcut illustrations by Rossetti, Millais, Hunt, and other Pre-Raphaelites.
Moxon sought to publish a successful, artistic book for the Christmas gift book market but ultimately ended up with something that was less commercially successful, but of far greater influence – Simon Cooke’s book on the Moxon Tennyson is subtitled “A Landmark in Victorian Illustrations,” and other observers have referred to it as ushering in the “golden age” of British woodcut illustrations. An essential volume in the Pre-Raphaelite canon. Pleasantly bound in maroon gilt stamped morocco with all edge’s gilt.
(Given our affinity for William Morris, we note that while Morris’s work is not present in this book, he served as the model for Lancelot in Rossetti’s “The Lady of Shalott” illustration. Faulkner, Morris and Tennyson (2009)).
4to. xiii, [1], 375pp., [1]. Wise 20; W.M. Rossetti, pg. 41; Fredeman 90.3; NCBEL III, 414; Ehresam & Deily, pg. 217; Thompson 28; Tinker 2076. Very good with some scattered spotting/foxing throughout, more so to the end papers, prior owner presentation inscription to flyleaf dated January 1858, and joints rubbed. Item #207
Price: $1,000.00