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Byron, Lord.
The Works of Lord Byron Including the Suppressed Poems. [WITH FORE-EDGE PAINTING].
Publisher: A. and W. Galignani, Paris;
Date of Publication: 1826
Stock Code: 9511
FIRST THUS. Small quarto, pp. xliii, [1], 716. Printed in double columns. Frontispiece portrait engraving and vignette to title page; double-page folding facsimile letter. Full bottle green morocco, sympathetically rebacked with original spine laid-on. 4 raised bands, gilt titles and gilt decoration to bands and compartments; gilt fillets and decoration around central floral lyre motif to boards; gilt dentelles; aeg. Delicate and skilful fore-edge painting, a view of Salisbury Cathedral with trees and a figure in the foreground, signed J. E. 1826. Bright pink endpapers. Boards a little scuffed with slight wear to corners. Endpapers lightly rubbed and toned, with armorial bookplate of Samuel Rickards to front paste-down and tidy gift inscripiton to ffep: “Betty love from Jane June 19th 1941”. A little scattered foxing, mainly to prelims. Fore-edge painting in very good order with vivid colours. The fore-edge painting is signed “J. E.” to fraudulently suggest that it is the work of John Edwards of Halifax, but the 1826 date is spurious as both John and James Edwards were dead by 1816. ‘One of the most famous European booksellers of their time’ Edwards of Halifax repopularised the fore-edge painting fifty year’s after the fashion for them had died out and became synonymous with the medium. Thomas Edwards ran the shop in Halifax until his retirement in 1826, which may very well account for the date on this counterfeit example. So as well as the attractive addition of a fore-edge painting to the works of Byron, this copy has a tale to tell. Heavyweight so a contribution towards increased postage costs will be requested for overseas delivery. £350.00