Selections from the Poetry of Robert Browning by Robert Browning (First Edition, Decorative Binding), 1883 📜✨✒️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a first edition of Selections from the Poetry of Robert Browning. Published in 1883, this book has a decorative binding and a personal inscription. This volume is an acquisition for a collector of poetry.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Selections from the Poetry of Robert Browning is an anthology. The book is known for its decorative pictorial binding. The gold and black design with flowers and leaves is a hallmark of bookmaking from this period. The book’s content provides a look into the romantic and intellectual spirit of the time.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Robert Browning (1812-1889) was an English poet and playwright. He is known for his mastery of the dramatic monologue. His works, which included "My Last Duchess" and "Porphyria's Lover," were known for their psychological depth. He was married to the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1883, this book reflects the late Victorian era, a period of social and intellectual change. The book’s decorative binding reflects a cultural moment where books were seen as objects of beauty.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of Victorian literature, a scholar of poetry, or a private collector of decorative books. It is an acquisition for an individual who values a book for its literary and historical significance. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of poetry, art, and the history of ideas.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a first edition with a decorative pictorial binding, this book is a valuable asset. The scarcity of a well-preserved first printing in this condition is a key factor in its value. The presence of a personal inscription makes this a Uniquepiece of personal history. The price reflects the book's literary influence, its physical beauty, and its unique provenance.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is in good vintage condition.

• The hardcover is in a solid state.

• The covers show some rubbing and scuffing.

• The gilded pages are bright, with some minor fading.

• The binding is solid.

• The pages are clean.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Robert Browning and his wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, were a literary power couple.

• The book was published by Thomas Y. Crowell & Co..

• The book's front cover features an intricate design of a flower and a bird, which is a classic example of Victorian-era book art.

• This book contains a personal inscription from a previous owner.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Selections from the Poetry of Robert Browning

• Author/Maker: Robert Browning

• Year: 1883

• Publisher/Foundry: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Decorative Binding

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Unique (due to provenance)

• Transcription: This book contains a personal inscription on the front endpaper, which reads: “To May from Mrs. B. Christmas 1886”