“THE POET’S POET”

SPENSER, Edmund. The Poetical Works. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1845. Five volumes. Octavo, contemporary full tan polished calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, olive morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers and edges. $1200.

Elegantly bound edition of Spenser’s poetry, with frontispiece portrait of the poet in Volume I.

"Spenser's influence on English poetic literature cannot be readily over-estimated… 'No other of our poets,' wrote James Russell Lowell, 'has given an impulse, and in the right direction also, to so many and so diverse minds.' Charles Lamb bestowed on Spenser his just title when he described him as 'the poet's poet" (DNB). Bookseller tickets; owner signatures.

Faint foxing to first few and last few leaves of each volume. Spines mildly sunned and rubbed, light wear to spine head of Volume V only. A handsome set.