Sale Price:
£250.00
Original Price:
£280.00
1872 Illustrated Reprint Mauchline fern ware binding.
THE POETICAL WORKS OF JOHN MILTON
With Illustrations by E. H. Corbould and John Gilbert
A particularly attractive Victorian gift edition of Milton’s poetical works, published by T. Nelson and Sons in 1872 and presented in an uncommon Mauchline fern-ware binding.
The polished wooden boards are decorated with naturalistic fern silhouettes using the reverse-stencil process associated with Scottish fern ware. Fern fronds were arranged over the prepared wood before the surrounding surface was coloured and the boards varnished, producing the distinctive pale botanical designs against a rich brown ground.
The wooden boards are paired with a red morocco spine, gilt-lettered and decorated, and all edges are gilt. Illustrated with engraved plates after E. H. Corbould and John Gilbert, with tissue guards. An appealing example of Nelson’s deluxe literary gift books, combining one of the central works of English literature with a highly decorative form of Victorian binding.
Fern-ware bookbindings survive in considerably smaller numbers than the boxes, souvenirs and domestic objects more commonly associated with the Mauchline-ware industry. This is therefore a desirable volume for collectors of decorative bindings, Victorian literature, botanical design and Scottish wooden ware.
By John Milton
Format: Hardcover, Small/Crown octavo (8vo 5 3⁄8 × 8 in 137 × 203 mm )
Note: Binding/size selection follows standard bibliographic conventions and is approximate; exact measurements may vary.
Language: English
Published By: T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row, London
Condition Report:
Dust Jacket: No Jacket, Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
Very Good - A handsome and well-preserved example of a T. Nelson and Sons deluxe gift edition in a Mauchline fern-ware binding.
The polished wooden boards remain glossy and bright, with minor surface rubbing and light marks consistent with age. The fern decoration remains distinct and visually striking. Red morocco spine with gilt title and decoration; mild scuffing and light rubbing to the head, foot and raised areas. All edges gilt.
The rear inner hinge has been reinforced with blue cloth tape, clearly visible in the photographs. The binding is presently firm and the text block secure.
Mild scattered spotting and foxing, principally affecting the title page and preliminary leaves. The contents are otherwise generally clean and well preserved. Illustrated with engraved plates after E. H. Corbould and John Gilbert, with tissue guards.
Contemporary ownership inscription, “A. Davies, Jan 1st 1874,” to the front endpaper. Small period bookseller’s label, “M. Johnson, 108 Western Road, Brighton,” to the rear pastedown.
A lovely copy with strong shelf presence, particularly notable for its uncommon botanical wooden binding.
Collation: pp. 528, with engraved plates
Please see Photos as part of condition report.
References:
Richard Garnett, Life of John Milton (London: Walter Scott, 1890), Bibliography, recording the Nelson illustrated edition under 1864
David R. Trachtenberg and Thomas Keith, Mauchline Ware: A Collector’s Guide (Woodbridge: Antique Collectors’ Club, 2002), Appendix I, “Books Published in Mauchline Ware Boards,” pp. 266–273.
Author Bio: John Milton (9 December 1608–8 November 1674) was an English poet, intellectual, polemicist and civil servant whose writing occupies a central position in the history of English literature.
His epic poem Paradise Lost, first published in 1667 and written in blank verse, recounts the rebellion of Satan, the creation of the world, the temptation of Adam and Eve and humanity’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Presented in twelve books in its final form, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest epic poems in the English language.
Milton’s career unfolded amid the religious and political upheavals of seventeenth-century England. He wrote extensively on theology, politics, liberty, education and freedom of the press, and served the Commonwealth government as Secretary for Foreign Tongues. His other major works include Paradise Regained, Samson Agonistes, Comus, Lycidas and a distinguished body of sonnets and shorter verse.
Illustrated By: E.H. Corbould and John Gilbert
Illustrator Bio: Edward Henry Corbould was a British painter and illustrator known for historical, literary and narrative subjects. His detailed compositions were well suited to the illustrated gift books and editions of poetry popular during the Victorian period.
Sir John Gilbert was one of the most prolific British illustrators and historical painters of the nineteenth century. He contributed extensively to illustrated books and periodicals and became especially celebrated for his interpretations of literary and historical subjects.
Their illustrations lend this edition a strongly Victorian visual character, complementing both Milton’s epic poetry and the elaborate decorative binding.
Synopsis: This volume gathers Milton’s principal poetical works, accompanied by a biographical account of the author and engraved illustrations.
Paradise Lost recounts the fall of humanity, beginning with Satan and the rebel angels in Hell before moving through the creation of the world, the temptation of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Eden. The poem explores free will, obedience, ambition, knowledge, redemption and the nature of divine justice.
Paradise Regained forms a more restrained companion epic, relating Christ’s resistance to Satan’s temptations in the wilderness and presenting spiritual obedience as the answer to the disobedience depicted in Paradise Lost.
The collection also includes Milton’s shorter and occasional poetry, together with his sonnets. These works range from pastoral elegy and political reflection to religious meditation and personal expressions of blindness, duty and artistic vocation.
Contents Include:
The Life of the Author
Paradise Lost
Paradise Regained
Poems on Several Occasions
Sonnets
SKU: BTETM0002159
Shipping Info: Approximate Package Dimensions H: 12.5, L: 30, W: 25 (Units: cm), W: 2Kg
Tracked Shipping, Insurance Coverage as per Customer Request
1872 Illustrated Reprint Mauchline fern ware binding.
THE POETICAL WORKS OF JOHN MILTON
With Illustrations by E. H. Corbould and John Gilbert
A particularly attractive Victorian gift edition of Milton’s poetical works, published by T. Nelson and Sons in 1872 and presented in an uncommon Mauchline fern-ware binding.
The polished wooden boards are decorated with naturalistic fern silhouettes using the reverse-stencil process associated with Scottish fern ware. Fern fronds were arranged over the prepared wood before the surrounding surface was coloured and the boards varnished, producing the distinctive pale botanical designs against a rich brown ground.
The wooden boards are paired with a red morocco spine, gilt-lettered and decorated, and all edges are gilt. Illustrated with engraved plates after E. H. Corbould and John Gilbert, with tissue guards. An appealing example of Nelson’s deluxe literary gift books, combining one of the central works of English literature with a highly decorative form of Victorian binding.
Fern-ware bookbindings survive in considerably smaller numbers than the boxes, souvenirs and domestic objects more commonly associated with the Mauchline-ware industry. This is therefore a desirable volume for collectors of decorative bindings, Victorian literature, botanical design and Scottish wooden ware.
By John Milton
Format: Hardcover, Small/Crown octavo (8vo 5 3⁄8 × 8 in 137 × 203 mm )
Note: Binding/size selection follows standard bibliographic conventions and is approximate; exact measurements may vary.
Language: English
Published By: T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row, London
Condition Report:
Dust Jacket: No Jacket, Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
Very Good - A handsome and well-preserved example of a T. Nelson and Sons deluxe gift edition in a Mauchline fern-ware binding.
The polished wooden boards remain glossy and bright, with minor surface rubbing and light marks consistent with age. The fern decoration remains distinct and visually striking. Red morocco spine with gilt title and decoration; mild scuffing and light rubbing to the head, foot and raised areas. All edges gilt.
The rear inner hinge has been reinforced with blue cloth tape, clearly visible in the photographs. The binding is presently firm and the text block secure.
Mild scattered spotting and foxing, principally affecting the title page and preliminary leaves. The contents are otherwise generally clean and well preserved. Illustrated with engraved plates after E. H. Corbould and John Gilbert, with tissue guards.
Contemporary ownership inscription, “A. Davies, Jan 1st 1874,” to the front endpaper. Small period bookseller’s label, “M. Johnson, 108 Western Road, Brighton,” to the rear pastedown.
A lovely copy with strong shelf presence, particularly notable for its uncommon botanical wooden binding.
Collation: pp. 528, with engraved plates
Please see Photos as part of condition report.
References:
Richard Garnett, Life of John Milton (London: Walter Scott, 1890), Bibliography, recording the Nelson illustrated edition under 1864
David R. Trachtenberg and Thomas Keith, Mauchline Ware: A Collector’s Guide (Woodbridge: Antique Collectors’ Club, 2002), Appendix I, “Books Published in Mauchline Ware Boards,” pp. 266–273.
Author Bio: John Milton (9 December 1608–8 November 1674) was an English poet, intellectual, polemicist and civil servant whose writing occupies a central position in the history of English literature.
His epic poem Paradise Lost, first published in 1667 and written in blank verse, recounts the rebellion of Satan, the creation of the world, the temptation of Adam and Eve and humanity’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Presented in twelve books in its final form, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest epic poems in the English language.
Milton’s career unfolded amid the religious and political upheavals of seventeenth-century England. He wrote extensively on theology, politics, liberty, education and freedom of the press, and served the Commonwealth government as Secretary for Foreign Tongues. His other major works include Paradise Regained, Samson Agonistes, Comus, Lycidas and a distinguished body of sonnets and shorter verse.
Illustrated By: E.H. Corbould and John Gilbert
Illustrator Bio: Edward Henry Corbould was a British painter and illustrator known for historical, literary and narrative subjects. His detailed compositions were well suited to the illustrated gift books and editions of poetry popular during the Victorian period.
Sir John Gilbert was one of the most prolific British illustrators and historical painters of the nineteenth century. He contributed extensively to illustrated books and periodicals and became especially celebrated for his interpretations of literary and historical subjects.
Their illustrations lend this edition a strongly Victorian visual character, complementing both Milton’s epic poetry and the elaborate decorative binding.
Synopsis: This volume gathers Milton’s principal poetical works, accompanied by a biographical account of the author and engraved illustrations.
Paradise Lost recounts the fall of humanity, beginning with Satan and the rebel angels in Hell before moving through the creation of the world, the temptation of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Eden. The poem explores free will, obedience, ambition, knowledge, redemption and the nature of divine justice.
Paradise Regained forms a more restrained companion epic, relating Christ’s resistance to Satan’s temptations in the wilderness and presenting spiritual obedience as the answer to the disobedience depicted in Paradise Lost.
The collection also includes Milton’s shorter and occasional poetry, together with his sonnets. These works range from pastoral elegy and political reflection to religious meditation and personal expressions of blindness, duty and artistic vocation.
Contents Include:
The Life of the Author
Paradise Lost
Paradise Regained
Poems on Several Occasions
Sonnets
SKU: BTETM0002159
Shipping Info: Approximate Package Dimensions H: 12.5, L: 30, W: 25 (Units: cm), W: 2Kg
Tracked Shipping, Insurance Coverage as per Customer Request
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