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The Poets and Poetry of America, by Rufus Wilmot Griswold, (16th Edition), 1873 📜📖🇺🇸

Name: The Poets and Poetry of America, by Rufus Wilmot Griswold, (16th Edition), 1873 📜📖🇺🇸
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 65.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$65.00

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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This 16th Edition of "The Poets and Poetry of America," compiled by Rufus Wilmot Griswold, was revised by R. H. Stoddard. The book was published in 1873 by James Miller and features a survey of American poetry.

The anthology includes steel-engraved portraits of eminent poets. The volume is a key historical document of the literary canon of its time and a sound acquisition for a collector of 19th-century Americana.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

"The Poets and Poetry of America" is an expansive anthology that provides a survey of American poetry, tracing its evolution up to the late 19th century. The collection presents a curated selection of works by prominent poets.

This edition is further enriched by portraits of notable poets, reproduced on steel, which adds to the historical context. The book also provides biographical sketches and critical commentary.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️

Rufus Wilmot Griswold (1815–1857) was an American anthologist, critic, and editor. His work documented and promoted American literature throughout the 19th century.

Griswold's legacy is often defined by his controversial relationship with Edgar Allan Poe. His portrayal of Poe has influenced his critical reputation. R. H. Stoddard, who revised Griswold's work, was himself a respected poet and critic.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This 1873 edition is a primary source document for understanding the literary tastes and canon of the post-Civil War era. It reflects the efforts of editors and critics to define and celebrate a distinctly American poetic voice.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a scholar of 19th-century American literature, a curator of literary anthologies, or a collector of early illustrated books. The volume's inclusion of steel-engraved portraits makes it a desirable item for collectors.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1873 edition is 152 years old. Its value is in its status as a classic anthology and its illustrations, not its rarity as a 16th edition. The inclusion of steel-engraved portraits adds to its artistic appeal.

The physical book's history is unique due to the small newspaper clipping included inside. This item's value is derived from its age, condition, and personal history.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

Used antique condition with a hardcover.
The binding is intact.
The hardcover shows significant wear, rubbing, and fraying, particularly on the spine.
The pages are heavily discolored and water-stained on the front and back endpapers.
A small newspaper clipping is included inside the book.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

Rufus Wilmot Griswold became the literary executor for Edgar Allan Poe. In this role, he wrote a negative biography of Poe, which damaged the author's reputation for many years.
Griswold’s work was the most comprehensive anthology of American poetry published in the 19th century.
This edition’s publisher, James Miller, acquired the rights to the anthology after Griswold’s death, continuing to print new editions for decades.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰