"FULL OF BEAUTY FROM THE FIRST PAGE TO THE LAST": ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING'S AURORA LEIGH

BROWNING, Elizabeth Barrett. Aurora Leigh. New York: C.S. Francis & Co., 1857. Octavo, modern half navy morocco gilt, raised bands, crimson morocco spine labels, marbled boards. $200.

First American edition, third printing, of what Elizabeth Barrett Browning called "the most mature of my works, the one into which my highest convictions of work and art have entered," attractively bound.

Aurora Leigh brought popular and critical acclaim to Browning. "The poem is full of beauty from the first page to the last… all is described with that irresistible fervor which is the translation of the essence of things into words—of their very soul into common life" (DNB III:80-81). Robert Browning wrote to Leigh Hunt regarding his wife's work, then in manuscript, "I wish in one sense that I had written and she had read it." Third printing of the first American edition, with publisher's advertisements on the verso of the half title. Published the same year as the London first. Bound with half title, and with 20-page publisher's ad catalogue at rear. Barnes A11a. Early owner ink signature and discreet blindstamp to title page. Infrequent penciled marginalia.

Fine condition, attractively bound.