“NATURE’S STERNEST PAINTER, YET THE BEST” (BYRON)

CRABBE, George. The Works. London: John Murray, 1823. Eight volumes. 12mo, early full straight-grained brown morocco gilt, raised bands, brown morocco spine labels, all edges gilt. $1200.

First collected edition, extra-illustrated with 31 engraved plates by Heath from drawings by Westall.

Crabbe's descriptions of nature and his notably unsentimental depictions of provincial life and society earned him the respect of Byron, who called him "nature's sternest painter, yet the best." Includes the "tales in verse," The Library, The Village and The Borough, among others. Extra-illustrated with the set of 31 engraved plates printed in 1822 by James Heath after drawings by Richard Westall. Lowndes, 546. Early owner signatures.

Scattered light foxing to text and plates, bindings quite handsome.