Illustrated Gems from the Poets

(FAWCETT)  GEMS FROM THE POETS, ILLUSTRATED.

London: Groombridge and Sons, 1860. 4to. Publisher's cloth. 62 pages, color-printed title page and 25 color-printed plates. First edition, second issue.

This was Benjamin Fawcett's first color-illustrated book outside the field of natural history.  The book was originally issued with a rare 1859 title page, one that Ruari McLean was unaware of in preparing Victorian Book Design and Benjamin Fawcett.  He and Joan Friedman in Color Printing in England, refer to this 1860 issue as the true first edition.  It became a very popular book with later editions appearing in 1864 and 1885.  The book was probably written by Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917), who is credited for the plate designs.  There is some very light foxing, as usual, and a name in ink on the front free endpaper, else a very nice copy.

$435.00